HELLO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!! I know it's been a really long time and you probably don't remember me. I doubt I even have any more loyal fans. I guess that's my own doing. How long has it been? Four years or so? Well, let me give you an update! I graduated college and am now working on my Masters degree in Literature. I've moved and now have a brand new cat ("small cat") and pug ("Reggie"). And, oh yea, I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!! You're all invited to the big day of course and I can't wait to see you there!
The reason I've decided to write again is due to a review I received a few days ago for Of Ice and Wind. I didn't think anyone would read my stories again. I was so flattered that I decided to read my old works and realized just how much I still loved Jin and Touya! That's when I was struck with the inspiration for this story. That's right! It's a new installment of my "Tales from the sixth shinobi" series"! I hope you will all continue to read and support me. To my new readers, I suggest starting with "Of Ice and Wind" and then moving forward. If you don't, you might be lost on some of the references I'll be making. To my old fans, welcome back. I've never forgotten you! ENJOY!
I do not own Jin and Touya nor Yu Yu Hakusho (can you feel the love tonight?)
Seven years. It had been seven years since the incident which had transpired between the youkai and The Beautiful Sazuka. And, although it is often commonplace for individuals to believe otherwise, those years has been peaceful. Very peaceful. So peaceful that many began to believe that nothing bad could ever happen again. That was certainly the case for Jin and Touya anyway. And that was how Koenma found them on that intensely warm summer day. Peaceful. As though they didn't have a care in the world.
Incidentally, that summer was turning out to be one of the best the Makai had ever seen. Most of the time, the weather was unpredictable. Massive energy storms often ravaged the land during that time of year, leading to an intense wave of destruction in even the most developed of youkai cities. Despite the dangers of living in the more rural sections of the demon world, both Jin and Touya found the storms to be beautiful, and they welcomed them as a chance to work on their agility and endurance.
It was very important to both demons to live away from the general public. Although they had once been respected shinobi, Jin and Touya now found themselves outcasts from the rest of the demon world. But they didn't mind. The wide open spaces of the Makai countryside allowed for a more serine existence, and Jin couldn't resist the smell of summer wind as it swept in from over the mountains.
Both demons were now enjoying that wind. Although they often spent much of their time practicing their you-ki, it wasn't at all uncommon for them to take a break and appreciate the day. Now they lay on their backs, their eyes closed, the sun warming their youth like faces.
Both demons sensed the approaching Koenma long before he had entered their territory. The shinobi had always prided themselves on their ability to be completely in tune with their surroundings, and Jin and Touya's abilities were some of the best in all the Makai. Although, to be fair, many would have found it an easy task to sense the spirit energy of the prince of the demon world.
As the demon prince came closer it became all too clear to Jin and Touya that this visit would not be a social one. Although they remained with their eyes closed, both youkai could very clearly see the look on the teenager's face. It was one of fear masked with the look of calmness all royal figures must portray during the most devastating of times. Koenma wasn't fooling anybody.
The demon prince continued his march across the open field until he reached the spot where the two youkai lay. He knew they were awake, he could sense it. Still, it was hard for Koenma to begin as he knew his words would be met with mixed feelings and an almost devastating end result. He leaned down over the two demons, watched them breathe in softly over the bridge of his pacifier. Koenma knew he must choose his opening words carefully so as to ensure the two demons' support in the matter at hand.
Still closer Koenma leaned into them, until he and Touya's faces were mere inches apart. Koenma's mind was racing. If he didn't manage to convince the two to cooperate with him, King Enma would surly have his head! It was all coming down to this moment. Koenma took a deep breath in. . .
"HEEEEEYYYY YOOOOUUUU GUUUYYYSS!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The loudness and overall intensity of the teenager's greeting was enough to startle the two youkai. Both Touya and Jin let out a yell and Koenma promptly fell backwards as a result of their reactions. For a moment the three just stared at each other, none of them speaking. Finally, after what seemed like centuries, it was Jin who broke the silence.
"WHAT IN THE BLAZES WERE YA DOIN' THAT FOR?! DON'T YA BE HAVIN' ANY SENSE ABOUT YA? PRINCE A THE MAKIA OR NOT, YA DON'T BE GOIN' UP TA A SLEEPIN' FELLA AND HIS FRIEND AND BE YELLIN' IN THEIR FACE LIKE THAT! I WAS RAISED AS A SHINOBI DAMN IT AND I GOT MORE MANNERS THAN THAT!"
Koenma quickly stood up and began brushing the dirt from his tunic, his pacifier still securely logged in his mouth. "Sorry Jin but the matter I am here to discuss with you both is of the utmost importance. Forgive me if I seem rather excitable."
The wind master simply crossed his arms over his chest, one white fang sticking out over his lips. Touya, on the other hand, seemed neither bitter nor cross with regards to the youkai prince's unusual introduction, and his voice remained clam as he spoke. "Prince Koenma, please forgive our reactions. But you must understand that this visit comes as a great surprise to us. We have not been contacted by the leaders of the Makai since our days as shinobi."
Koenma stared long and hard into Touya's icy blue eyes. "That's precisely the reason I've come to see you both."
The two youkai stood silent as they waited for Koenma to explain in more detail. It had been decades since they had served as shinobi and neither could guess the purpose behind Koenma's visit. Slowly, Koenma began.
"These past years have been some of the best we've seen in the demon world. With the human world being in a state of relative peace, so too have we seen peace in the Makai. But it has recently come to our attention that during these past years a demon army has been secretly gaining strength in the northern mountains. They are a rebel group of class S youkai that we believe are seeking to overthrow the Makai counsel and enter into the Nigenkai."
"But Koenma, the Makai counsel possess the strongest and most skilled spirit detectives in the three worlds. How is it they were not able to sense this uprising?"
"Good question! Trust me I've looked into that. As near as anyone can tell these demons have only been training to their lowest abilities. By not using techniques with high levels of spirit energy they manage to increase their stamina while still sliding under our radar. By practicing at low levels over a long period of time, they have in effect tripled their agility, stamina, and, most importantly, their you-ki. It has only been within the last few days that we have been able to detect their growing power, and we suspect that they will be ready to strike within the next year or so."
"If the counsel knows of this threat then why aren't they taking care of it now?"
"I know that seems like the responsible thing to do but we're dealing with S class demons here. If we're lucky they don't know that we're on to them yet and won't strike any time soon. Simply put, our statistics show that we don't pack enough punch to take care of these cretins on our own. Truth be told we'd need every last demon in the Makai in order to put up a poor fight at best."
Jin, having been quiet all this time (a rare feat for him), felt the need to speak out at this remark. "So if your army's not even bein' strong enough for tha job what in the blazes will ya be needin' us for then?"
"I was just getting to that Jin, if you had waited a moment longer." He gave the wind demon an angry glance. "Our records show that the only youkai with enough power to defeat these demons are the shinobi. Without their help I'm afraid the Makai will not be able to survive the attack."
Touya looked shocked for a moment before replying. "Koenma, you know that the shinobi disbanded after being defeated by Team Urameshi during the Dark Tournament. Jin and I are all that remains."
"I know Touya."
"Then what are ya askin' us for then? You all can't be thinkin' Touya and I are gonna be takin' on these demons all by our lonesome can ya?"
"No, Jin, the thought never occurred to us."
"Then what," Touya asked "do you require from us?"
Koenma was silent for a moment, intensity burning in his amber colored eyes. This was it. If Jin and Touya did not agree to the plan the entire Makai would be ruined in little over a year's time. This was the moment of truth.
"We need you both to begin it again, Touya. . . We need you to resurrect the shinobi."
Wow! What a beginning! I sure enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoyed reading it as well! It really felt good to get back into the story I had begun almost 7 years ago. Hopefully, you will all find this installment just as good as my other ones. I'll try to have chapter 2 posted within a week or so but I make no promises. Unlike my failed Hiei and Kurama fic. I have a good idea of where this story is going and I feel like it wants to be written. I would also just like to say thank you to all of you who have read my work in the past and to all my new readers. I hope you will all take the time to review. As some of you may know, I dedicate a story to a fan each installment. If you review, it could be you! Again, thank you for all your support!