ME: YES! MWAHAHAHAHAHA! (Jumping up and down like a maniacal idiot.)
Hiei: (Watches me for a second before grabbing his sword and cracks me in the back of the head with it.) Calm down you baka onna!
ME: (Hits the ground like a ton of bricks with swirly eyes.)
Hiei: (Pokes my unconscious form with his foot) I may have lost my temper there……is she supposed to twitch like that?
ME: (out cold)
Kurama: (Walking up) Oh dear……I wonder what she was so happy about?
Hiei: I don't know.
Kurama: So do you walk around knocking happy people unconscious for no apparent reason?
Hiei: ……Shut up fox.
Kurama: So……what should we do now?
Hiei: Hide the body.
Kurama: She's not dead, Hiei!
Hiei: (mutters something that sounds like 'might as well be'.) Fine……I guess we'll just have to start the chapters ourselves.
Kurama: The authoress only owns her characters……I wonder how long she'll be out of it.
Hiei: I have no idea. Let's start the chapter and hope she doesn't come to until next chapter. Chapter Start.
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Has anyone heard the song Real Emotion from FFX-2? OMG that's an awesome song. Not nearly as good as Wild Wind though but still pretty dang good.
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Chapter 7: That's One Fugly Kitty
Nope. I don't think he really gave a damn one way or the other. Cue sweat-drop with mushroom sigh. Who needs enemies with a friend like Hiei? Maybe I should've taken my chances with Morte. Hiei was proving to be more dangerous than she was at the moment!
I sighed and moved to follow him. Kurama straightened up and followed us at a somewhat slower pace while Kuwabara and Yusuke raced straight past Hiei to get up the stairs. I walked behind Kurama to make sure that he wouldn't double over and looked at what I could see of his face. The smell of fresh blood was thick in the air and I knew that Kurama had to be in pain even if he wouldn't let anyone else know about it. It wasn't so much the smell of the blood that bothered me but it was the images that came with it. I was imagining all the times back home I had seen horrible things that were associated with blood. Like one time when my friend's arm got skinned up when she went off a ramp on her bike. The image of her bloody arm made me shiver and wince as I thought of how much pain she had to have been in. Stupid empathy! We slowly made our way up the stairs in silence but as soon as we came to the top Kurama looked back to me and said, "Are you alright?"
"Huh? Yeah, why?" I stuttered slightly caught off guard. Shouldn't I be asking HIM if he was alright instead of the other way around? I swear sometimes I didn't understand other people……or demons for that matter.
"You seem tense and you're digging your nails into your hands," Kurama gestured to my hands. I looked down in surprise to see he was right. Whoops.
"Oh…uh……bad memories. Don't mind me," I said uncurling my hand. We began walking yet again and I noticed more bones littered the ground around us. These Saint Beasts were real pigs. Gack! Yet, no one else seemed concerned with it so I continued walking and was just about to ignore everything around me until I noticed that Yusuke kept glancing back over his shoulder. At first I thought he was checking on Kurama but then I finally noticed that his eyes always met mine. He was looking at me. I stopped and sighed, "What do you want to ask Urameshi?"
They stopped and Yusuke rubbed the back of his neck like he was caught doing something he shouldn't have been. He looked at me and said, "That obvious huh?"
"Oh no, I'm used to people boring holes into me with their eyes," I answered sarcastically. Then I stopped and thought about it for a moment…ok maybe I was used to people staring at me and thinking I'm weird but……none of them needed to know that did they?
"Well, I was just a little curious. I mean, I know that Kurama's a fox demon with great control over plants and I know Hiei's a wicked fast fire demon with awesome swordsmanship……I was just wonder what kind of demon you were," Yusuke said scratching the side of his face in curiosity. Only two words flashed through my mind at that point. They seemed to be the most appropriate choice of words I could come up with at the sudden question he just asked.
Oh shit.
"Uh…does it really matter?" I laughed nervously. I had no way to answer them! If I really had become Rin Ishida then I was a Fire/Water/Lightning Wolf Demoness…who didn't exactly have full control over her own powers…I really couldn't imagine how that would blow over with them though. Telling them I couldn't control my own powers wasn't the most comforting thing I could say……and I really didn't want them thinking I was even more of a liability than they already did.
"I'm curious as well. You seemed highly sensitive to Genbu's scent and you flinch whenever someone raises their voice past a certain point," Kurama stated looking at me curiously. Then he looked over at Hiei and said, "Not to mention the feat of tracking Hiei's speed and matching it to a degree."
I frowned at him, "I'm beginning to get the feeling you guys are corning me and gaining up on me. Fine, if you really have to know I'm a wolf demon."
Silence.
"That explains a bit," Kurama said nodding. I could tell by the sound of his voice that he was going to drop his persistence from there. Thank you Kurama! You are officially my favorite of this group now……after Hiei of course.
"That would explain your growling!" Kuwabara laughed in his annoying voice. I smacked my forehead and counted to ten……then twenty……then to five. When I felt I could talk civilly, I looked up as Kuwabara asked, "So what elements and weapons do you use to fight?"
"A little bit of this and a little bit of that. You'll find out later," I said walking past them. When I was a little ways in front of them I turned around and said, "We don't have time for idle chitchat. Let's get moving alright?"
They quickly agreed and we once again began making our way towards Byakko's lair. As we walked, Yusuke turned to Kurama and asked, "How ya doin', Kurama?"
"Not bad. I'm still on my feet," Kurama said trying to reassure but he winced in pain quickly striking that illusion. Oh yeah. That was REAL believable, Kurama.
"You won't be much good in a fight though. Without you the rest of us will have to deal with what's ahead," Hiei said briefly looking at Kuwabara in doubt.
"Still feeling a bit condescending towards humans, I see," I smirked at Hiei. I knew I was pushing my luck but I couldn't help but say, "I thought that would've changed when Yusuke struck you down. You're pretty stubborn aren't you?"
"Hn. Watch the water you're treading. It might just turn violent on you," Hiei growled back in annoyance. I immediately bit my tongue and fell quiet. We yet again stopped to watch Kuwabara show of his Reiki Sword and have the group realize that he was a bit stronger than they realized. I was a bit distracted though because I could smell something suspicious. There was another demonic scent in the hall with us.
I turned my back on the guys and quietly slinked through the shadows down the hall. I stopped at a corner and peered around it to see a group of smaller demons. They weren't much but in the enclosed space they would be able to move behind unsuspecting enemies and catch them off guard. I realized that since Kurama was weakened that they'd go after him first like the little cowards they were. I glanced back to see Kuwabara still slinging around his sword so I had just enough time to deal with the creatures.
"Move aside you little pests," I growled stepping up on them.
"You fell right into the trap!" one of them squeaked at me. Instantly I felt one grab my right arm and another one grab my left. Soon after two attached themselves to my legs and one leapt on my back. The one that talked stood in front of me and said, "Give me your blood!"
"How about not!" I answered throwing the one on my right hand forward into it as it lunged at me. I caught it right in front of me but it disappeared and jumped on my back. I felt it try to bite my shoulder and I turned my head to glare at it and growl like I always do when I'm mad, "Burn!"
To my surprise it burst into flames right there on my shoulder. I yelped out in surprise as the rest of them likewise burst into flames as well. The entire hall around me was filled with flames but what really surprised me was that they didn't hurt me. They just danced around me and licked my skin like nothing was wrong. It was like they were trying to get me to play.
"YEOW!" I heard Kuwabara exclaim from behind me. I spun around and just beyond the blaze I saw the rest of the group standing there with stunned expressions. I could tell that only Hiei and Kurama could see me standing in the midst of the blaze by the stunned expressions that were plastered on each of their faces. I instantly felt my stomach flip. This wasn't going to be easy to explain.
"Rin! Are you in there?!" Yusuke shouted at me causing me to flinch.
"Would you quit yelling Urameshi? You're going to cause me to go deaf," I sighed instantly smothering my temper and rebottling it like I always do. The flames instantly died down and I found myself facing the guys. I dusted some of the ashes left on me and said, "I was a little annoyed. Sorry about that."
Silence.
I looked up and saw Yusuke and Kuwabara staring at me in disbelief. I turned to see that Kurama and Hiei had thoughtful looks on their faces as they stared at me as well. Maybe showing them that power wasn't the smartest thing but……aw man. Damn my short temper and my lack of control over it! I didn't even have the slightest control over the small amount of powers I had……damn I really was becoming a liability to them.
Hiei opened his mouth to say something but suddenly Byakko's loud roared erupted through the hall causing my head to pound. THAT WAS FREAKING LOUD! Earsplitting was the only word I could think of to describe the sound. I couldn't even imagine what it would be like when we were close to him and he was roaring at us in anger. The wish to avoid instantly came into my feelings but that was out of the question and I knew it. Dang. How do I get myself into these situations?
"Byakko. That's his roar. Sounds like he's in a pretty foul mood," Kurama stated with a little concern entering his voice.
"Let's go," I said looking down towards the doorway where I knew Byakko would be. The others nodded and we quickly made our way to the entrance. Kuwabara and Yusuke gasped in amazement when we stepped out onto Byakko's walkway and I whistled. The stone bridge between the two parts of the castle was cool looking despite its morbid touch and the storm above us greatly affected the scene. Even though the wind was howling and lightning was streaking across the sky above us I was completely locked in amazement……I wouldn't be surprised if I died in this world because I was stunned by something that could never happen back home……great, I just freaked myself out. I have got to stop doing that dang it!
"I can't believe I had to get off my butt to deal with pesky little fleas like you. You defeated Genbu, but don't let that go to your heads. He was only an underling!" Byakko roared at us from his perch. I looked up and nearly lost it upon seeing the monstrous beast before me. There was NO freaking way that, that……THING could be real!
He had to be taller than ten feet tall and his claws and fangs seemed a hell of a lot sharper than could ever be possible! His fur was a stunning white with black as pitch stripes and this tiger looked a lot more unfriendly than any beast I saw back home. Meeting an adult Bengal Tiger at home seemed safer than fighting Byakko! His beady black eyes were glaring at us and there was this smell that hit me in the face that caused me to retreat a few steps. Did every demon here smell like rancid something or other?!
"Holed up here in this depressing castle, no succulent human flesh upon which to sup…it makes one quite irritable. And now the Underworld sends two puny humans and a pair of traitors to fight us. Not to mention the worthless female. What an insult!" Byakko growled viciously glaring at all of us. It may have been my imagination but Byakko's glare seemed to intensify at the thought of a female opposing him. I balled my fists and bit down on my tongue to keep it in check. If he decided to crack any female comments I was going to break the time line and kick his face into the dirt myself. I can't stand people with problems against women. Byakko glared at us as a group and roared, "Listen, worms! I gulp humans down by the six-pack! Hiei! Kurama! I'll shred you and feed you to the rotten scamps. As for the female-"
"Oh hush now kitty. No one wants to listen to your annoying meowing so go hiss at someone else! We're not interested in what you have to say!" I shouted finally not being able to stand his voice any longer. Not only was it as grating as Genbu's but it was loud enough to make my ears ring every time he spoke. I never thought I'd say this but I was ready for everything just to be silent for a while. Although if I was sent out to fight him……I might not get out of it without any broken bones or deep cuts.
"I agree. I've had enough of his bull!" Kuwabara growled cracking his knuckles. You go on ahead Kuwabara. Take him down and almost die yourself. I'm staying back because I KNOW there's no way in oblivion I could take him on.
"You're going to take him alone? I thought that was all talk," Hiei said in calm monotone. He was careful to make his tone sound disinterested but I swore for just a second that I saw a foreign emotion pass through his eyes……was it……concern for a comrade? No……it couldn't have been……that's not Hiei's style……is it?
"Duh! One-on-one! That's street fightin' pal!" Kuwabara said taking a fighting pose.
"This isn't a street brawl you dummy. Pay attention to what he does and react. Have some sense if it's possible," I said looking at Kuwabara shaking my head.
"You're trembling from eagerness then?" Yusuke asked looking at Kuwabara's knees. I took my first true look at Kuwabara and saw that he was shaking beyond all control. I blinked in surprise. Kuwabara was really freaked out……then again I didn't really blame him. If it were me I'd probably be doing the same thing.
"What I say I'm going to do, I do!"
"You can't back out now, y'mean!" Yusuke hissed at him quietly.
"Nuts to you, Urameshi! Just watch!" Kuwabara growled making his way towards Byakko. I couldn't help but notice that the trembling increased as he made his way down the walkway so I gave a random shout of encouragement and he nodded in acknowledgement. It didn't do much for him but he managed to stop shaking as much as he was before. Wanting to get a good view of what was going to happen I walked up to the side and threw my legs over the side. I plopped down on the side and found that I had a good seat to watch every thing that would happen. I tightened my grip on the edge and took a breath. I was going to see Kuwabara get the heck beat out of him……why was that more appealing when you were seeing it in the book or on the TV. Actually sitting there and knowing what was going to happen……it didn't have the same feeling.
"And the beating begins," I couldn't help but mutter as Byakko called four of his hairs to life. The hairs fell around Kuwabara and turned into the ugly beasts that Byakko used for his dirty work. Kuwabara became paler than usual as he looked at the ugly beasts and I sensed Yusuke's heart quicken. I couldn't help but feel adrenaline race through my veins and my own heart quickened in my chest. Watching Kuwabara prepare for the fight was much more interesting than watching it……maybe it was because even though he irritated me as a character I knew he could really be hurt here……and I didn't exactly want to watch that.
"My doppelganger beasts! They'll slowly tear you to pieces! Even after death, you'll regret your foolish attempt to confront me!" Byakko roared as he sent his beasts to attack Kuwabara. Even though the guy was tough for a human, I sat watching from my spot and could easily see that Kuwabara wasn't near quick enough to dodge those sharp claws. The scent of his blood drifted through the air and I wrinkled my nose. My blood I could deal with but someone else's……that was an entirely different matter.
Yusuke let out a strained shout to his friend and Kuwabara spun on his heels to run towards us. I quickly glanced back to the other three and said, "You guys might want to get close to the outer edge of the platform. Trust me on this one."
They each looked at me slightly confused but when they saw that I only had their best interests in mind, they stepped out of the way towards the outer rim. So I turned around and just managed to see Kuwabara skewer the big bad beasties……too bad for him they were still alive and trying to eat him. So being the idiot Kuwabara's known to be, he ran back towards us and circled the little pillar. He quickly came to the end of his sword and fused the ends together to make a chain. I watched carefully as he melded the ends together and saw sweat pouring down across his forehead. After locking the beasts in place he jumped back and said, "There! How's that?! Hah! Monster Beastie shish-kebabs on the hoof!"
I lost it. I barely heard Hiei commenting on Kuwabara's absurd idea because I was laughing so hard. Watching those huge beasts struggle to move and twitch was just so hilarious. I couldn't stand it. I don't know why it struck me as so funny but I got off of the edge for fear of falling over it. I thought that it was funny and stupid in the anime and manga but actually seeing happen before me only made it funny. Seeing some things in person makes you laugh at something you never would've if you'd seen it on TV. This was one of those times and I was dying.
"Well, at least someone thought it was funny," Yusuke stated looking over at me in exasperation. Apparently he didn't think it was too funny, but that may have been because Kuwabara nearly got ripped apart by those things. Lighten up, Yusuke.
"I'm sorry…I just hadn't expected it to look like that," I said putting the palm of my hand on my forehead from laughing. I looked at them and said, "I could see what Kuwabara was planning to do but I never thought it would look so ridiculous."
"Ridiculous?!" Byakko roared angrily at us. I stopped laughing as I sensed his rage sky rocket and he continued in an angry growl, "Heh…you should've let the beasts kill you human."
"Cocky bastard," I hissed to myself between my teeth. I glared at him with a smug smile as I quietly continued so not even Kurama could hear me, "We'll see who's so cocky when they're covered in ash."
"Ash?" Hiei questioned telepathically. Crap.
"Um……how'd you hear that?" I asked nervously. He couldn't have heard me and I thought I had strong barriers around my mind damn it! That means he shouldn't be able to catch the small things like that! Hiei couldn't read my mind before!
"The barrier around your mind has been weakening as we've been walking in this castle. It wasn't until after Kurama's fight with Genbu did I start catching bits if your thoughts," Hiei answered in a smug tone. Curse you, Morte! Hiei can read my mind now because of you, you wench! All because you want me to kill Yusuke and I refused. Damn it all!
"Never mind. It's not important," I said biting down hard on my lip. I had to watch myself now. I could already feel a nervous sweat-drop form on my forehead. It wasn't good that I was losing those protective barriers. They're what kept Kurama and Hiei both out of my mind……if I lost those……I didn't want to even think about it.
I was suddenly jostled from my thoughts as Byakko finally jumped down from his perch and shook the entire ground we stood on. I looked up in annoyance and felt myself freeze at seeing the comparison between Kuwabara and Byakko. Kuwabara was an insect compared to that beast! How the heck was he supposed to fight that…that…thing?!
"I'll warn you right now that your Reiki Sword is useless! If that's your only weapon of real power, you don't stand a one-in-one hundred chance against me!" Byakko growled mocking Kuwabara's sword. Kuwabara dismissed the warning and began lashing out against Byakko in an attempt to take him down. Kuwabara was fighting like crazy and was swinging his sword everyway possible to inflict damage on Byakko who was taking all the hits with a slight smile on his face. The tiger demon threw in a halfhearted attack here and there but ultimately he took all of Kuwabara's hits without even trying to block them. With each hit that made contact with Byakko's fur, I saw Kuwabara's sword spark and then shrink in size. Before long Byakko was a little on the fat side and Kuwabara was so exhausted that he looked ready to double over at any given moment.
I let a very low growl hiss escape through my teeth as Kurama said, "Something's wrong."
"Yeah. Look at them-their faces. Kuwabara may be scoring the hits but he's the one wearing out," Hiei said in flat monotone as Yusuke tensed beside me.
"Byakko gave the baka fair warning. It's his fault for not listening. That sword has a different effect on Byakko," I said tightly crossing my arms over my chest. I looked closely at Byakko's body to see that he truly hadn't gotten any bigger at all. He just got a hell of a lot fatter. How much longer was it going to take Kuwabara to see it? Especially since he was standing right next to him.
"I get it now!" Kurama exclaimed in sudden realization. I jumped at his outburst but he continued without looking at the three of us who stood at his sides, "Take a look at the sword!"
Everyone turned their attention to the sword and saw that it had shrunk to the size of a dagger. I looked at the other three and said, "Byakko completely sucked Kuwabara dry of his energy. He's a bit of a glutton isn't he? Too bad Kuwabara's an all-you-can-eat buffet to him."
"So you can be cold hearted and detached after all," Hiei took note as he looked at me out of the corner of his eyes.
"Cold hearted and detached or not, it's the straight truth," I answered as Byakko slugged Kuwabara across the area and into the wall.
"His aura's gone! He can't fight!" Yusuke shouted in exasperation. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes and saw that he was ready to jump in. I couldn't help but smile. Yusuke and I were a lot alike. We both had short tempers, were hotheaded, and defended our friends like there was no tomorrow. Yeah……we were going to get along just fine……well after I learn to get them all on my side at least.
"No! He has an option! Byakko hasn't grown at all. If Kuwabara's noticed this, well…it might amount to suicide but it's his last resort! If he doesn't pull this off he's doomed!" Kurama quickly explained to us.
"Sink or swim," I whispered quietly doubting if any of them heard me. I watched intently as Kuwabara ran forward and rammed his sword straight through Byakko's stomach. I flinched as he hit the ground due to energy loss and lied there not getting up. Byakko began making his way towards Kuwabara but even though his footsteps shook the ground, Kuwabara wouldn't move. Yusuke attempted to move forward to help his friend but Kurama stopped him telling him to wait. I, on the other hand, inched forward. Kuwabara didn't look like he was getting up and I was going to jump in if he didn't. I would NOT watch someone die right in front of me if I could help them. My conscience was already heavy enough for me. I didn't need anymore.
A strange noise suddenly broke across the area and caused me to stop. I looked at Byakko in surprise as I realized it was Kuwabara's plan finally acting up. Kuwabara jumped up and began mocking the demon as his stomach turned against the energy he had been given by Kuwabara. The tiger demon suddenly shot into the air like a bullet from a gun and I stood there completely struck dumb. Yusuke was laughing his head off as he shouted, "Ha ha ha! Worst case of gas I've ever seen! What a moron!"
"That was……moronic indeed," Hiei said blinking.
"Oh jeeze," I said putting the tip of my forehead into my hand. That made no freaking sense to me. Why the heck did the creator of Yu-Yu Hakusho give him gas?! That was……I can't even say anything about this. MOVING ON NOW!
I turned my attention away from the guys to where Byakko landed and watched him move the rubble away from him. He stood up and glared over at us growling, "I'll admit I'm impressed. Your tactics were effective. To show my respect, I'll lead you to my chamber…To the room from HELL!"
With that Byakko turned his back to us and began making his own way through the opposite entrance of the area. We followed at a respective distance and Hiei asked curiously, "Did I hear that overgrown fleabag right? The room from hell?"
"If I didn't know better, Hiei, I'd say you were a bit excited to see what it looks like," I said as we ran through the corridor. I looked over my shoulder and saw him glaring at my back. I turned around with a smile. It was beginning to be a game to see how I could tick Hiei off……just as long as I didn't push him too far.
"Whatever it is, it's this way!" Yusuke shouted as we came up towards the new platform. I could already feel the heat coming at us and when we burst into the room I could already feel a steady sweat bead at my forehead. Oh joy. Heat. I hate heat.
I had to admit though; as much as I hated the place I was stunned. The lava beneath us bubbled dangerously and the stone pillars that rose from its depths looked as if they could both stay up and crumble at the slightest touch. How those things were holding up Byakko and his weight was beyond me but I wondered exactly how sturdy those things were. I found myself standing at the edge looking at the pillars, barely resisting the urge to jump down and see for myself. As much as I wanted to know I didn't think that would be too smart and I could……I'd rather not think of those consequences. Darn curiosity and its killing tendencies.
"Heh heh…this is my special gaming room. Quite a sight isn't it? My favorite touch is the acid bath below! It'll eat you down to your bones! Anyone got the nerve to come down and fight me now?!" Byakko shouted from the middle of the room. I sweat-dropped and made a snort that caused the guys to look at me like I was stupid.
"Oh come on. Do none of you notice the bandage shaped like an 'x' on his stomach," I said slapping my forehead. The guys finally looked down at Byakko and remained silent upon seeing the bandage……some things are better left unsaid.
So Yusuke offered to finish up the fight but being the proud idiot Kuwabara was he told us that he was going to finish it. Even though Hiei told him-with genuine thought for his well being-that he should take a rest, Kuwabara went into the fight headfirst. I sighed at his pigheadedness as Hiei glared at him and growled, "Hmph…Irrational creatures…!"
Byakko finally goaded Kuwabara into jumping down and when he did the stone crumbled beneath his feet. The frizzy haired baka began scrambling like a rodent up the rubble and clung to the rock for dear life. I sighed and watched as Kuwabara stood up and called it 'dramatic flourish'. My foot! You barely stopped yourself from becoming well done in those fiery pits! Gr……annoyances.
"Man it's hot in here," Kuwabara said grabbing the side of his coat and throwing it to the side drying to be cool. I merely shook my head.
"It doesn't have the same effect that's there for Hiei when he does it," I whispered with a snicker. I continued snickering softly until I heard a quiet noise behind me. I looked over my shoulder curiously to find Kurama stifling a fit of chuckling. Hiei was looking at him curiously and I realized Kurama managed to hear me and my fangirl-ish comment. Damn that godforsaken fox!
"You repeat that and I'll 'accidentally' trash all access you have to plants," I hissed angrily at him as I felt a furious blush come to my face. Kurama looked ready to respond until Byakko started making these gross rasping sounds. I twitched. Normally things like that didn't get to me but……that was just flat out sick and wrong. Very sick and wrong! (A/N: Barely resisted urge to say wrongsick from Kim Possible. Sigh. That's what you call pathetic right there.)
"Yes, I am a cat. Would you like to see my version of a hairball?" Byakko laughed as he snorted back loudly again.
"F no," I said loudly as he shot an attack Kuwabara. Kuwabara placed himself ready to swing at it like baseball but Kurama yelled at him to get out of the way. Though Kuwabara was confused, he turned on his heel and jumped off the platform. Just as he landed on the other platform the attack slammed into the rock and disintegrated the stone as if it was nothing. I gaped at the pillar as it crumbled into the lava below.
"See that! My Tiger Shatter Scream!! It reduces anything it hits to dust!!" Byakko laughed as all of us stood in awe.
"I'd heard if a demon who could produce sonic blasts that shatter molecular bonding! It's Byakko? The only defense is to avoid getting hit!" Hiei said sounding slightly surprised and I swore there was a hint of worry there. I was stunned that a creature could manage to make those sounds from within their own throat without harming themselves. Although……that's probably why Byakko's voice was so earsplitting in the first place.
Kuwabara began jumping from platform to platform as Byakko began launching unmerciful attacks at his opponent to catch him in a trap. I bit down hard on my lip as Kuwabara began getting slower and slower and the attacks kept getting closer and closer to him. Finally Kuwabara landed on the last platform and realized he was going to have to take one hell of a gamble. Everyone began talking down about it, saying he wouldn't make it but I shouted, "Show him what a human can do you frizzy haired baka! Beat him to a pulp!"
Slightly encouraged by my shout, Kuwabara took the leap without another word and was sent out towards the pillar. Instantly he began slowing in the air and I saw his body get closer to the lava. I barely kept myself from closing my eyes when Kuwabara threw his Reiki Sword into the lava and threw himself into Byakko's body shouting, "Like it or not, fuzz butt……hell's waiting for the both of us! DIE!"
Kuwabara slugged Byakko in the jaw and they were both sent flying over the edge. I watched completely stunned as Byakko plunged into the lava below. I didn't even see if Kuwabara was with him or not. I leaned forward trying to scan the pillar from where they fell but didn't immediately see. Yusuke couldn't see either and leaned forward shouting as loud as he could, "KUWABARA!"
Suddenly I caught sight of him. The scrap of cloth that he was caught by was ripping and he wasn't going to manage to stay there long. He was banged up and if that cloth ripped he was as good as dead. Hiei caught sight of him too and said, "Look over there! See?"
Kuwabara sank another few inches as the cloth ripped and he shouted, "This ain't good!"
I didn't even realize what I was doing until I felt my feet meet the pillars and then moments later I was soaring over the lava to get to him. I skid to a stop on the pillar and dropped down trying to grab his hand. The cloth ripped and Kuwabara reached up to grab onto my arm. I let out a yelp as I slid down across the stone but I suddenly felt someone else grab the back of my shirt. I made sure my grip was tight on Kuwabara before looking up and seeing Hiei holding onto the collar of my shirt.
"Baka onna, acting on reckless impulse like humans do," Hiei hissed at me in annoyance.
"Oh shut up and help me get him up," I growled in reply as I felt my arms pop at being pulled down by Kuwabara. That baka was heavy. With Hiei's help we finally got him up on the pillar and Yusuke began shouting at him angrily. I stood up and moved away from the guys to watch them calm down and see that we were halfway done.
"You have the most remarkable luck. Care to go against another demon?" Hiei asked looking at Kuwabara curiously to see his reaction.
"NO! That's it for me! I'm DONE!" Kuwabara replied nearly wetting himself.
"That's alright Kuwabara. You earned your rest," I said laughing at him. I turned towards the exit and continued, "How about I scout ahead a bit. If I see any enemies I'll try and get rid of them for you guys."
Kurama looked uneasy about it but despite that he nodded and said, "Go ahead with Hiei and see what there is."
"Hn, how did I get pulled into this?" Hiei asked in monotone as he started making for the exit. Not knowing exactly how to react to the situation, I merely nodded and turned on my heel to follow him. We made it to the other side of the room and made our way up the stairs. I lagged a bit behind Hiei as we went up the stairs and finally had to stop putting my hands on my knees. How could he be so fast and go up these stairs without even changing his breathing?
"That……isn't fair," I gasped quietly to myself.
"I thought you said you weren't going to be a burden," Hiei mocked from higher up. I looked up to see that he had that same smug smirk that always got my goat.
"Man……I hate it when I bite off more than I can chew," I whined straightening up. Even though my legs felt like jelly, I ran back up to him and we continued on our way up. We moved without stopping until we finally came to the end of the staircase. I was completely out of breath and ready to topple over but Hiei merely walked out glancing around the hall before him.
"Are you honestly that tired after that short run?" Hiei asked condescendingly as he looked back at me.
"……" I glared down at the ground before me wishing he would just shut up and leave me alone. After a moment I looked up at him and said, "I know you don't think much of me but could you please stop talking down to me so much?! I'm not used to this and you're not helping matters. Cut me some slack!"
"Do you honestly expect your enemies to cut you slack in battle?" Hiei asked me in a flat tone. I froze.
"Uh……" I stared at him in surprise. He was right. No enemy would sit back and let me catch my breath. Most likely they would take that time and beat me to pulp…in his own way……I think Hiei was trying to make me stronger……I think he was trying to help me out. After realizing that I saw that, asking for some slack was stupid and it would ultimately make me weaker than I already was. I bit down on my lip and forced myself to breathe normally. I walked up to Hiei and said, "You're right."
"Hn," Hiei answered turning away from me. I turned to the hallway and tried to listen for any strange sounds. I was instantly rewarded by the sound of chiseling. What in the world could that be? Hiei heard it too and we both ran forward looking for what made the sound. As we went down the hall we suddenly came upon a group of some odd looking demons. They were hunched over at the edges of the hall and were……for lack of a better word, attacking the edges of the walls. They were very small with sharp claws and teeth. I could've picked one of them up and held it easily with two hands. They looked like a mixture of dogs and rats. One thing was for sure. They were ugly!
"What are they doing?" I wondered looking to Hiei for answers.
"It looks like……they're trying to tunnel through the point of where the floor and the wall meet," Hiei answered sounding slightly confused.
"Wait a minute," I said walking over to one of the demons who was sitting at my left. I leaned over to see that it was nearly done with destroying the place it was working one but instead of just destroying the wall……it was taking the whole floor area with it. I swore and looked back to Hiei saying, "They're trying to destroy the hallway!"
"What?" Hiei asked looking at the creatures angrily.
"They're not trying to do anything, Rin. They already have destroyed the floor!" Morte's silk like voice echoed around us causing my heart to race. She planned this…How could she plan all this in such a short time?! Damn that wench! Now I'm going to have to help the guys find another way around this spot since it is my fault Morte's destroying. Dang it, dang it, dang it, DANG IT! Why can't anything be easy?!
I spun on my heel and looked to Hiei saying, "We've got to get back! NOW!"
Hiei didn't need telling twice and we began running back as fast as we possibly could to the stairs before the demons decided to make the ground fall. We didn't get too far before my normal klutzy nature took affect and I tripped over what I thought was my own to feet. I crashed onto the ground loudly and Hiei stopped to look back and see what happened. My entire body was screaming in protest against the pain and I felt the cut on my forehead begin bleeding once again. I growled and looked back to see that two of the demons and jumped up from their posts and were wrapped around my feet. I sat up and instantly tried hitting them away saying, "What the heck?! Get OFF!"
"We're not here to play with the minor demons! Hurry up!" Hiei snapped angrily from where he stood.
"Oh, you think I like the fact that they're keeping me from walking?!" I snapped as I managed to grab on of them and slam it against the nearby wall. I reached out for the other one but the ground suddenly started shaking beneath me. The other demon leapt off of my ankle and ran down the hall to leave me and Hiei standing there in confusion. That is……until the ground beneath me became very unstable and I felt myself sink and inch or two into the ground. Realization instantly hit me and I shouted, "Son of a-"
I dropped my rant of profanity as I forced myself to my feet but just as I did the entire hallway floor gave way underneath my feet. I looked up to Hiei in surprise and saw that he was standing on a spot of the floor that wouldn't fall with the rest of the hallway. I took some comfort in that and tried to convince him to go back to the others.
"Get going already! Give the others the heads up!" I shouted at him as the ground completely fell beneath me. I yelped out as I fell and I felt my back crash against a large piece of rubble. Even though I didn't think anyone would be there to help I threw my hand up trying to catch hold of anything that would keep me from falling……and caught someone's hand. I looked up in surprise to see Hiei holding the edge he was standing on with one hand and his other hand was tightly wrapped around my own wrist. I blinked at him in surprise and whispered, "What……"
"Just shut up and don't move," Hiei hissed as he reached down his other arm and grabbed my other arm. We slid down a bit and I closed my eyes as I imagined plummeting to my own death. It wasn't a good though and I felt my heart beat against my ribcage as we slid down another inch and a half. Yet, before anything else happened I felt myself get pulled upwards and then get thrown onto the ground as if I were nothing. I opened my eyes in surprise and saw Hiei sitting there beside me looking at the hallway that just fell into the dark abyss below.
"T-Thanks Hiei," I stuttered quietly as I sat up. I crawled over to the edge and looked down just in time to catch sight of the last bit of rubble falling into darkness. I swallowed hard and thought about how that could've been me had Hiei decided to watch me get my own self out of that situation. I looked at him gratefully and said, "You saved my skin yet again."
"Hn……" Hiei was still staring at the hall. I could tell that he was wracking his brain to figure out a way to continued down that hall. It may have been destroyed but it was after all our only way through the place. Honestly……I don't think he really gave a damn that he saved my life.
"Rin! Hiei! Are you up here?!" I heard a shout ring out from behind us. Both Hiei and I glanced back to see Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara walking up. Upon seeing the hall behind us they stopped and Yusuke pointed at the hall saying, "Wh……what the hell happened here?"
"A little interference. We're going to have to think of another way down this hall," I said standing up and looking back down the hall. I froze when I realized that I could still see the end of the hall where the demons hadn't brought down the floor. I smirked and began mentally judging the distance as a plan began to form in my mind.
"So how exactly are we supposed to get across now?" Kuwabara asked looking at the huge gaping hole we'd have to cross, "There is no way in heck Urameshi and I can jump that."
"Hm…maybe not but……how good is your balance?" I smiled as I looked back at them with my plan in mind. They each gave me a curious look but it didn't faze me one bit. I had an idea but I was going to need their help in order for it to work.
"What are you plotting over there?" Hiei asked looking at me suspiciously.
"Nothing too big……Kurama how long can your Rose Whip extend?" I asked as my smile grew a little bit larger. Instantly realization broke across their faces and they weren't afraid to show their distaste for the plan I had thought up.
"No way in hell. I am not walking across Kurama's Rose Whip to get over there! You can forget it!" Yusuke shouted at me angrily.
"So you have any better ideas?" I asked looking at him curiously. Silence. "That's what I thought. So does anyone else have any objections and if you do what's your plan to get across this freaking hole?"
None of them opened their mouths to that one. So I looked at Kurama and gestured for him to either answer my question or ask a question of his own. The red head heaved a sigh and looked at me saying, "So what is it you exactly want me to do?"
"All you have to do is run your Rose Whip from this edge to that edge and make sure it's sturdy enough to hold us while we walk across it. Shouldn't be too hard for you, should it?" I looked at him with a smile.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" Kuwabara asked looking at me curiously.
"Very much so," I smirked as Kurama brought out his Rose Whip. I stepped aside and watch him connect the whip to the edge and extend it out to the other side. After he did so the red head straightened up and kicked his foot on the whip to make sure it stayed in place. It didn't move. With his job finished Kurama stepped back and looked at me to continue. I turned around and said, "Alright so who wants to be the first one to try it out?"
None of the guys even moved. They stared at me with emotionless eyes and each had a look on their face that said 'hell no'. I sighed and said, "Yeah I thought it was going to be like that so……I nominate Yusuke. Go on and try it."
Yusuke stared at me like I was crazy and then hissed, "I hate you."
With that said the Spirit Detective moved towards the Rose Whip and tested it with his own foot. He took a deep breath and then stepped out onto the Rose Whip. After a moment he realized it wouldn't collapse under him and he began walking across the gap. I leaned forward as he got near the middle but Yusuke seemed to be a natural at balancing himself. Of course his training with Genkai probably had a lot to do with that. It wasn't long until he reached the other side and turned around saying, "Come on! It's not that bad! Just don't look down!"
I sweat-dropped as Kuwabara put himself next and began making his way across next. Kuwabara wasn't nearly as steady as Yusuke and I found myself looking away frequently because I thought he was going to fall. He finally got across and Kurama stepped up to go next. He was by far the most graceful of the guys and managed to get across without the slightest problem. Not once did his foot slip and it seemed like he was walking like he normally would on a wide surface. I whistled and said, "Man there is no way in heck I could be that graceful. Nice job Kurama."
He nodded to me and stepped to the side near Kuwabara and Yusuke. I looked over to Hiei and saw him looking at me seriously. I swallowed and opened my mouth but he quickly cut me off saying, "I'll go after you so we can be sure you'll go across."
"That isn't necessary. It'll take me longer to get across than anyone else so why don't you just go on ahead of me," I said trying to smile reassuringly. It didn't have the effect I wanted it to but that didn't surprise me. I was too damn proud to admit it but I was afraid of crossing the Rose Whip. Yeah sure, it's ok when other people are doing it but when it comes to me………not so much.
"You can either cross the whip on your own two feet now or I will make you cross it," Hiei answered taking a step towards me.
"Oh come on!" I squeaked stepping back away from him. I felt my heart quicken and pound against my ribcage in fear. The glint in Hiei's eyes was freaking me out and the way he was smiling was NOT cool! I tried to jump back away from him but he was suddenly right in front of me and then we were above the Rose Whip looking down. I instantly felt my blood freeze in my veins and my voice stopped dead in my throat. We bounced dangerously close to falling off the whip and it felt like he loosened his hold on my body. Then……we suddenly stopped on stable ground. Hiei's arm released me and I fell onto the ground face first.
"Hiei, that was unnecessary," Kurama said in an exasperated tone.
"Hn," Hiei answered looking off towards the ceiling. I sat up slowly trying to calm my heart and thaw the rivers of ice in my body but I couldn't. I finally calmed down enough to speak and I turned to Hiei ready to tear his head off.
"You son of a-" I suddenly stopped myself as I stared at the side of his face. When he noticed that I wasn't continuing my rant he looked at me expectantly. I calmed down and muttered, "Never mind. It doesn't matter. We're here and we might as well get going to the third beast."
With that said I looked away from the guys and started making my way down the hall. I stopped a little ways away from them and realized that I was acting a bit like a spoiled child. I bit down on my lip and looked up at the ceiling. I was running away from my anger like always……never facing it head on like I should. What does getting mad do anymore? Absolutely nothing.
"Damn it," I whispered turning back to the guys. Kurama had pulled back his Rose Whip and they were slowly making their way up to me. I stepped aside to let them get in front of me and then fell into step right behind them. I was going to have to learn to control my temper and if I couldn't do that then……Morte had every right to strike me down. So I bit back my pride and looked over at Hiei and said, "Um……sorry about being so……short earlier."
As soon as I said it, I realized the pun I had just made and instantly regretted it. Yusuke and Kuwabara caught it as well and went into a fit of snickering while I looked at Hiei just waiting for him to decide to slit my throat then and there. Hiei was glaring at me from the corners of his eyes but instead of saying something along the lines of killing me he spoke with a calm that was strained, "Like you said. It doesn't matter. We're here to fight our enemies and as long as we get there nothing else is worth being concerned over."
Hiei and the rest of the guys walked a little ahead of me as I slowed my pace to breathe. He didn't kill me………it was a miracle. And one with a message I wasn't about to ignore. I had to learn to watch my loud mouth or it might just get me killed. Why Hiei resisted the urge was beyond me but I sure as heck wasn't going to pursue the matter. Hiei didn't kill me and that meant I still had a chance to make him tolerate me……to some small degree anyway. Maybe……just maybe if I was lucky, I could at least get them to trust me and count me as an ally……maybe.
So with that small hope in mind I quickened my pace and fell into step right behind them as we made our way to the Saint Beast who controlled ice……Great. I liked cold about as much as I liked heat. Yippee.
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Hiei: That was an………interesting end.
Kurama: I wonder how many more problems we're going to face in the castle.
Hiei: I don't have any idea. The author is the one who creates the problems. Although……maybe I should've let her fall to her death.
Kurama: Why doesn't it surprise me that you would say that?
ME: (Interrupts Hiei's comeback with finally coming to) Ow……what the heck? Why do I feel like I got hit by a sledgehammer?
Hiei and Kurama: ………
ME: What? What's going on? WHY IS IT THE END OF THE CHAPTER?!
Hiei: (Whispers quietly) Just slowly step back and she won't notice us.
ME: Hiei its about time you learned what the Authoress Glomp is like. (Tackles him.)
Kurama: (Tries to escape but gets tackled by Ray from my other story.)
Ria: (sigh) I'm not even in this story dang it and I have to keep the peace. Well people I hope you liked that chapter and Review please! Please Review like no tomorrow!
