Here is the final part of the Inazuma trilogy. I promised I will not let you down. This chapter is a very good way to start off this new part and I hope to have the entire story done within two weeks. It will be better then the other two parts. Expect many strange events.

Enjoy!

POV ?

The literal definition of war is a state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties. Within a war is death, the ceasing of life. But with death also comes life, the renewal of the departed. War is on the horizon at all times, no matter where you go. It could be a simple feud between families, a disagreement between friends, or a full-scale assault against a country. Here in Makai, however, there is always war. But today, all things stand still as a battle for all of our world occurs. It will be the bloodiest fight since the ancient Makai wars 3000 years ago, when Reikai tried to control us demons. No one knows the outcome, nor who will perish, but one thing is certain. The winner will rule Makai, be it for the better...or worse. Armies will clash at the feet of King Hiei's castle, his armies and those of his fathers. Rainbows will decorate the grounds as we engage in an onslaught of our own. Humans and demons alike will show their merit and loyalty in the eminent crusade...

The silence and stillness in the air is unnerving in the fact that we could all very well die today. Looking around, I gaze at all the soldiers with me, each consumed in their thoughts of winning at all costs. Innocents brought into this by their need to prove themselves to their lord. Why must all things come down to fighting? Violence is not always the answer. Drums sound and the army picks up the beat, marching forward. The sun still sits on the horizon, as if lingering there so as not to see the brutality of those she smiles down at every day. It is not a long march to Hiei-sama's castle, 1 hour at the most. Takanashi is anxious to win, anxious to kill his own son. Yukina is sitting timidly behind me as we ride horseback beside our leader.

POV Yukina

I don't want anyone to die, especially Ani-kun. Why does my father want to bring about destruction? All of these strange demons frighten me. Inazuma remained at the castle, unfortunately. The only comfort I get is from the man I sit behind now. I can tell he holds honor for righteousness. The horses are trotting at a fast pace now so my hold on his waist tightens. He doesn't mind. I rest my cheek against his back when his hair falls down to his waist in a braid. It reminds me of snow because it is so white and like feathers, it is soft. His aura is familiar to me, like I've met him once before, aside from when he captured me. The armor is different, as well. Instead of the bulky stuff he wore before, he is wearing a simple black, upper thigh-length tunic over black pants. Mid-shin boots adorn his feet, his pants tucked within them. Gauntlets cover his hands and up his arm, while pads protect his elbows and knees. A head wrap and mask hides his face from everyone. The horse stopping pulls me out of my thoughts and I gaze over his shoulder. Before us, I see all of my friends and my brother. The man faces me, his bangs falling in front of shinning cerulean eyes.

"All will be fine, Yukina-chan. I will not allow you to get killed or allow your brother to die. I promise"

"Thank you...what is your name?"

A slight chuckle comes from him, causing me to smile slightly.

"Zyrin...my name is Zyrin."

I smile at him, truly smile, and face the others. My brother notices me, I can tell because he gets the others attention.

'Yukina, are you alright?' I hear him ask in my mind.

'Yes, Hiei, I am. Do not worry. I am in good hands.'

'That is the same man who captured you! How are you in good hands?'

'Trust me.'


POV Outside

Takanashi dismounts his horse and the other riders take it as a sign to follow suit. Zyrin slides off and helps Yukina down. Some men take the horses away from the front lines. The soldiers on both side withdrew their Yumi (battle bow) and bamboo arrows. Stringing bows, they aimed at the enemy. Others took out their katanas, naginatas, yaris (spears), shuriken, and bo. Zyrin took a broad blade sword from one of the soldiers who carried it. Yukina stayed behind him. All was quiet and no one dared to make a move. A wicked grin spread on Takanashi's face as he disappeared from view. Hiei's troops were startled and shot at the spot he previously stood in, killing two demons.

And so the war begins...

With a cry, Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, Kazuma,Yomi, Jin, Touya, Kori, Rinku, Chuu, Shishi, Suzuki, and the soldiers leap into battle. Zyrin raises his sword as a sign for his fellows to attack. He grabs Yukina and jumps to a nearby tree.

"Stay here. Do not come down. We cannot risk losing you."

"I feel like I know you. Who are you really?"

"Soon, dear Yukina. Soon."

He falls to the ground and lands on his feet. Hiei sees him and, since Takanashi is not there, goes for Zyrin. He knew the king would so he stood ready. Not stopping to talk, Hiei jumps at him and swipes with his katana. Zyrin blocks and twists his blade to get Hiei back. He swipes at the king, but Hiei was quick and dodged, throwing his own sword at Zyrin. That is how it went for a while until Hiei lands a swipe against him, slicing his cheek. The mask falls a bit but not enough to reveal who the person is. Hiei notices a light purple tattoo on his cheek. It seems to be a tribal design, kind of like a jagged wing coming up from his bottom jaw to the corner of his eye. Hiei can also see long pointed ears behind the bangs and stray white hairs. Collecting himself, he jumps at Zyrin again and Zyrin just blocks.

"Fight!" Hiei shouts at him.

"I will not harm you, Hiei. I promised Yukina I would keep you safe and I do not break my promises."

"I don't care. Be a man and fight."

"I will not break it. I would do anything for my best friends, you know that."

Hiei shook his head at those words. Inazuma had said the same thing to him the day before she resurrected Mukuro. How did that man know that? Zyrin watched Hiei in his state of confusion. Hokushin (Raizen's former head guard, in case you forgot.) came to Zyrin's side. Hiei watched this in confusion as well.

"That is the enemy, Hokushin. Get away."

"No it is not Hiei-sama. Look closer."

Hiei walked towards them. All the sounds of fighting left his ears and he only focused on the two in front of him. The man did look familiar to him. Once he got close enough, Hiei made to remove Zyrin's mask but was stopped when a sword pierced through Hokushin. At the end of the blade was Takanashi.

"Hello again, my son."

Hiei growled and jumped away from him. Takanashi went to kick Hokushin's body off of his sword, but Zyrin stopped him. Taking the body, Zyrin placed him beside the tree Yukina was in.

"Rest in peace, friend."

Furious that Takanashi had killed him, Zyrin took up the broad blade sword and pointed it at him. Takanashi was confused at this.

"Zyrin! You are on my side. Fight my son."

"I will not follow your orders any longer."

Reaching under the scarf around his neck, Zyrin withdrew a choker and threw it at Takanashi.

"I will not be your slave...nor will I be your bride."

Takanashi reached out and yanked off Zyrin's face coverings, only to meet Inazuma's cold hard gaze.

"How?"

"You should have done your research a little bit more. Obviously, you forgot one important detail about me."

"And what is that?"

"Who I really am."

"And who is that?" Hiei questioned, stepping towards her, furious.

"My name is indeed Zyrin, though I had everyone call me Inazuma. I have legal heir rights to all these lands because my brother once owned them."

"And who is your brother?" Yusuke asked as him, Kazuma, Koenma, and Kurama came to Hiei's side.

"Why...Raizen, of course. I thought all of you could put that together."

I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter and I left you at a great cliffhanger. I gave so many clues throughout the whole story as to who her brother is. I wonder how many of you actually put it all together.

-UtsukushiiCho