A Warring Tempest
Chapter One
Seven years had come and gone since he was forced to deal with the panic of his mother's illness. Reminders of the event weren't welcome however the surgical masks most of civilization adorned stirred up the old memories anyway. Despite the Forlorn Hope's assurance of her life he couldn't stop the worry that this unknown ailment unearthed. This virus plagued civilization, stealthily creeping into homes in pursuit of the most valuable possession a human owned, their life. The epidemic began with a few unusual cases of what doctors had believed to be the flu. Every victim suffers from burning fevers, uncontrollable muscle spasms, vomiting, oozing sores and delirium. After the first documented case it seemed the pathogen exploded, wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting populace. Within the first three weeks the worlds death toll surpassed three-thousand. Doctors scrambled to counteract the affliction but no known modern medicine proved effective and time old remedies only seemed to drag out the sufferers ordeal. While scientists and medical professionals raced to create a new vaccine, the victims of the epidemic continue to steadily climb. With no end in sight panic and paranoia weighed heavily on every man, woman and child.
Emerald eyes scanned the rapidly filling bus station, a white mask securely covered the nose and mouth of every face saw, including his own. He hated the contraption, it's thin veil caused sweat to bead on his upper lip after every hot breath. Though the human pandemic couldn't kill him opting out of the protective covering would draw unwanted attention. Among the half concealed faces of the crowd he spotted the familiar swaggers of two long time friends. He waited until they spotted him to nod in acknowledgment. Easily pushing through the skittish lines they made their way over, stopping a foot away from the redhead. With hands on his hips the shorter of the two leaned forward.
"Can you believe this bullshit Kurama?" A cocky voice boomed from behind the white barrier, However his large dark eyes swimming with concern betrayed the arrogant stance. His companion remained uncharacteristically silent, a lazy flick of his hand his only greeting.
"It must be quite the epidemic for him to request our assistance Yusuke." He wanted to rush them along. The faster they were alone the faster he could discard his itchy covering. Taking the hint they moved hastily to the exit.
Three seemingly normal men sauntered into the woods just as the last rays of dusk fled from the sky. Easily navigating the terrain they trekked further into the thicket until its density was sure to hide them from prying eyes. Two thirds of the trio removed their white masks, one pocketing the annoyance knowing it needed to be used later while the other ripped the offending cloth off and tossed it into the dirt with distaste. With an upturned lip at his friends behavior he took a few extra moments to greedily inhale the brisk night air before taking the long forgotten compact from the confines of his back pocket. Hitting the transmit button the three waited patiently for the static to clear.
"I'm glad all of you responded to my urgent call for assistance. " a muffled voice echoed out of the tiny machines slightly damaged speakers. "Boton will arrive at your location shortly to escort you to Genkai's temple, I feel this needs to be discussed in person." Without any kind of goodbye the screen went black. In silence the men pondered what the culprit behind the outbreak could be. Rogue bugs? Demons hell bent on enslaving man kind? Toxic waste in the water systems? Small feet landed with a soft thud pulled them from their musings. Troubled fuchsia eyes met each individual before giving a half hearted smile. If any one of the trio wasn't uneasy already the deities unusual melancholy did the job.
"Damn it must be pretty bad if it's got you in a slump." The young man eyed the blue haired reaper.
"You have no idea Yusuke." Her normally chipper voice was scratchy as if she spent the last few weeks screaming, or perhaps crying. Her oar glided through the air in a large arc cutting off any further questions. The scene in front of them rippled as her oar passed over it. When the wood touched softly to the forest floor a hazy arch shimmered into existence. There was no hesitation as they filed one by one through the glittering gate. When the last few strands of blue hair were engulfed the circle swirled in on itself until with a small audible 'pop' it vanished.
No longer did the portal travelers tumble to the ground in an undignified heap. Years of experience kept their landing upright and sturdy. Finally in the safety of the temple the third man tore off his mask relishing in the cool air. Unlike his fellow comrades he didn't have the luxury of a demon immune system and could easily fall prey to the viruses siege. The group allowed their fourth member a few fresh breaths before the blue haired reaper lead them down the dark hall. A flickering lantern illuminated two figures sitting at the low kitchen table with a steaming pot of tea between them. A third figure stood off to the side half concealed in shadows. Even though his body language screamed that he didn't want to be there the others couldn't help but smile at the elusive being. Emerald eyes surveyed his long time friend.
'Its nice to see you Hiei.' He needn't say the sentiment aloud for Hiei had other means of communication. The demons eyes remained shut, to the world he could pass for snoozing if one stubbornly ignored how his every muscle was rigid.
Yusuke loudly plopped down next to his former mentor ignoring her disapproving glare. His dark gaze landed on his old boss. The worry that had been twisting around in his gut since all of this began intensified at seeing the seemingly young prince. "What's going on?" He didn't snap or yell, the broken man across from him didn't need the extra intimidation. Meeting the gaze of each member of his former team he pulled a worn leather scrap from his folded legs and set it gingerly upon the table. The hide was old, ancient even. The edges were cracked and frayed while the red ink tattooed on it was almost ineligible from its fading.
"Do any of you know what this is?" His voice was barely above a whisper, however in the noiseless room it reverberated like a scream. The only person that may have held any sort of recognition had his emerald orbs glued unwavering on the animal skin. He recognized it immediately, not just by the look but the smell alone he could never forget, -Brimstone and decaying cadavers- he knew exactly what that time-worn scrap of leather told and it did not bode well for any of their futures. His thoughts were cut off by a gruff voice.
"An animal hide?" The man spoke for the first time since meeting with his old teammates. He was leaned away, uncomfortably so, to distance himself from the object.
"No shit Kuwabara." Yusuke muttered with a roll of his eyes. The prince waited for anyone else to speak up, his gaze darting to Kurama in hopes that the old fox could take the reigns.
"Just spit it out Koenma!" Yusuke was glaring at the strip like it would jump up and bite him, even he could feel the ominous aura surrounding it.
"Its a prophecy. Forged in blood and enchanted by long forgotten, powerful deities to suppress the four scrolls encased in its binding." Koenma explained with a strained face. "The prophecy states that hundreds of years from now the enchantment caging the scrolls will disintegrate, finally surrendering itself to the harbingers chained within. The last judgement will be unleashed upon the three worlds, eradicating the realms until they are deemed worthy to receive the gift of rebirth." He stared at the polished table top, waiting for the questions, accusations, anything but the silence.
"So in hundreds of years you were going to let loose what ever the hell are in these scrolls and kill everybody?" Yusuke demanded.
"No," Koenma met his gaze with fierce determination. "We have ways of containing the scrolls, humanity was never meant to suffer the wrath of the pale riders."
"It said all worlds, so would you be using it on the Makai? Hell, the Reikai?" Blood left Yusuke's knuckles at the force of his clenched fist.
"No. They were never supposed to be unleashed, the riders don't differentiate between the realms. Whoever began the unlocking process either doesn't understand what they are truly doing or wishes for the total annihilation of every living creature."
"How were the scrolls taken and how long until the next one is opened?" Cold flickering gold hues met warm honey brown. The pale riders were omens of death and if the first scroll was already activated how much more time did they truly have?
"What do you mean ones already been activated?!" Yusuke was on his feet, grabbing Koenma's robe he hoisted the prince to eye level. "How the hell did this happen?" Globs of spittle hit the young rulers cheeks.
"I don't know how it was taken! I've watched every detail of the tape and have nothing. The thief left nothing behind!" Koenma confessed to a surprised room. Prying himself from Yusuke he stumbled to his feet. "Yes ones already been activated. It takes two months to awaken a rider and another three to release him from all of his bindings."
"What one was activated and what one is next?" Kuwabara joined Yusuke in standing to face Koenma and impose a bit of intimidation. Refusing to back down he met Kuwabara's eyes, hoping the gentlest of the group would take pity on him.
"Pestilence has been released, War will be next, followed by Famine and finally Death." He whispered the last word.
"The epidemic started 107 days ago." Kurama remained seated, his mind running at a record pace. "Assuming the thief began the awakening process immediately after the release of pestilence we have a little under two months until war is unleashed." Koenma nodded gravely.
"I'm afraid all we can go on are educated guesses and intuition at this point." Koenma confessed.
"You've revealed nothing to us." The shadowy figure pushed off of the wall and strode into the room. Koenma couldn't stop his foot from sliding back from intimidation. The once shortest of the team stood eye to eye with him. Granted he was the shortest male in this group he had once towered over the imposing demon. Preventing further embarrassment he pushed his feet into the flooring to stop their flight response. Hiei towered over the princes shrinking frame and glared, his crimson hues glinting maliciously. "How do you purpose we find the thief when the Reikai can't even give us a trace of energy from one of their supposedly secure vaults." He mocked.
"I have a plan!" Koenma squeaked leaning as far from Hiei as he dared. In a more hopeful tone he continued. "There is a demon race known as The Nahual." Koenma had to smother his flinch when an incredulous snort cut him off.
Thankfully Kurama intervened before Hiei had a chance to emasculate him further. "Koenma, Nahual are rare to come by and rarer yet is finding one unbound."
"What's a Nahual?' Yusuke questioned. Hiei gave the former detective a disgusted glower before returning to his previous posotion. How could a Makai territory ruler not know what a Nahual was? Ridiculous.
"Nahual are known by many names, but are more commonly referred to as shape-shifters." Koenma began.
"How's a shape shifter gonna help us find the scrolls?" Yusuke interjected.
"If you'd let me continue!" Koenma's jaw ticked with annoyance. "A full blooded Nahual's senses are keener then any other living demonic race. Imagine hearing that can transcend the three realms, sight so enhanced you can see every detail clearly across an ocean, a sense of smell so strong you can pinpoint the hemoglobin levels in a single drop of blood, An unfathomable sixth sense that can pick up on the miniscule thread of energy no matter how old and locate its owner. That's not even the reasons Nahaul's are so desired. Not only can a Nahual share its amplified senses with its bonded master, They also have the treasured ability of creating Ki in specific wavelengths in order to restore one's lost energy."
Koenma smiled proudly at his idea, a Nahual would solve their problem, he was sure of it.
"Yea it'd be great to have your own rechargeable battery and glorified bloodhound but if they're as rare as Kurama says then how are we supposed to find one?" Yusuke slumped into his seat with one brow raised.
"Every few centuries a demon born into the Nahual tribe was given the title of Guardian. Their task was to keep an eye on every full blooded Nahual born during their lifetime. However when the Nahual's abilities were discovered and slavers ransacked the tribes and began breeding Nahual's with other species they ultimately bred the guardian gene into extinction." Koenma wanted to pause for dramatic effect but the stink eye he received from Yusuke nixed that idea. "I know where the last guardian is located, sort of." Koenma carefully folded the eerie leather and set it aside. Surprisingly enough it was Genkai who smoothed out a worn piece of paper across the table showing a shoddy hand drawn map of the northern Makai.
"Last I heard she resides in a small temple on the shore of this lake." Koenma pointed to a small body of water that looked no bigger then a pond. "Unfortunately I don't know the exact coordinates, I was hoping we could use Hiei's Jagan eye to pinpoint her dwelling." He watched the silent demon in his peripherals. Koenma knew the likelihood of Hiei cooperating without reward was slim to none, he just wished the price could have been something small instead of what he knew it would be.
"What's in it for me?" A devilish smirk tugged at Hiei's lips.
"What do you mean what's in it for you?!" Kuwabara yelled across the table.
"Its not a hard concept to understand oaf. I see no reason to assist the Reikai without payment." Hiei's frigid red eyes glowed in the dim room. Kuwabara glared but kept his mouth shut. He had grown from his time as a loud mouthed kid, while his mouth still occasionally got away from him he became better at picking what battles needed to be fought and he decided Hiei's asshattery wasn't one of them.
"I can pay you handsomely." Koenma tried, desperately hoping he would take the money.
"I don't need useless money." Hiei snapped.
"A residence in the ningenkai?" He was grasping at straws now.
"Do not insult me." Hiei growled.
"I can't authorize that."
"Then I can't help you." He moved toward the door with painfully slow steps.
"I'll give you anything else!" Koenma pleaded.
"No deal." Hiei didn't turn to answer. His left foot was stepping over the threshold.
"Fine!...Fine." Koenma conceeded. Hiei didn't even attempt to hide the egoistic smirk that played across his mouth.
"What just happe-OUCH!" Yusuke's yell turned into a yelp when Genkai smacked the back of his head.
"That's my ear dimwit and Hiei just managed to secure himself the Nahual." She snapped glaring at her predecessor.
Emerald laced with gold watched the display through crimson bangs. Logically he knew they would need Hiei's Jagan to find the Nahual so Hiei's claim on the treasure was valid, however a small part of him-a part that needed a constant reminder that he lived in the ningenkai- craved the power of owning a Nahual. Burying the less favorable thoughts deep within his mind he focused his entire attention to the mission. He needed his head in the game for the cost of failure was too high a price to pay.
I wanted to take a moment to say I do NOT own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters/content, this story will begin at a T rating and may or may not move to M later on. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. R&R, until next time!