Hey folks! Hope all is well. You know the routine so I hope you enjoy!
The next day Cole woke early to find stacks of paper work in her office with a note attached:
These are some of your future cases. Read up on them and let me know when you are ready to start.
Koenma
Cole rolled her eyes, "No rest for the weary, I guess."
She sat down at the desk and began to review some of the files. Most of her cases were rescue for children and sending souls on. She rolled her eyes, "Guess I gotta start small."
She heard her door creep open ans raised her head. Cora came in with a cup of coffee in hand. She sat it on the desk.
"What you up to?"
Cole closed the file and took the cup, "Koenma piled my desk high with crap."
Cora smiled, "So I did my research and found a way for you to send the souls on."
"Do tell."
"You would have to become a priestess."
Cole burst into laughter, "You have to be kidding me."
Cora rolled her eyes, "It would make it easier. Just think about it."
"We'll just have to see." She stifled a yawn, "What time is it?"
"Well, I woke up around ten and it's three now-"
"THREE?"
"You've been in here a while."
Cole sat back, "Yeah, I guess I have."
She stood and stretched. Cora smiled and shook her head, "Come on, you've been here long enough."
They walked out to see Koenma and the others. "Cole! I see you've been working."
She merely flipped him off. Cora hit her in the ribs only to receive a glare. One that she ignored with grace. She also noticed Keiko sitting on the couch. Then she noticed something else, she was pissed off. Yusuke looked irritated as well as the others.
"Ok, what the hell is going on here. The mixed energies are so tense it could strangle someone."
"I am sending the boys on a mission." Koenma sighed, "I didn't want to but they are my only option at this point."
Cole swallowed, "I see."
She now knew why everyone was so up tight. The guys didn't want to leave. They had lives now and future families to look out for. Hiei looked calm but Cole could see he was fuming.
"Well, I have some news too," everyone turned to look at her, "I have decided to become a priestess. It will help me take souls to the other side."
Yusuke almost laughed, "You? A priestess? I'd like to see that."
Her eyes narrowed, "You will."
Koenma beamed with happiness, "That's wonderful news. However you do realize you will have to go away to train."
She nodded, "Yeah I get it. Cora talked me into it though so don't be too excited."
Cora chuckled, "I know where to take her. We'll go first thing in the morning."
Keiko smiled, "What will you do about your house?"
Cole smiled, "Well, I hoped my prego sister-in-law, my sister, and some others would so kindly stay here and keep it afloat. However, no wild parties would be nice."
"I take you up on that offer," she leaned her head on Yusuke's shoulder and closed her eyes.
Koenma cleared his throat, "Yusuke I want you and the others to meet me at dusk. I'll be at the temple and will take you on your way."
Yusuke sighed and nodded. Koenma disappeared. Cole couldn't take it anymore, "I'm going for a walk."
She put on a pair of jeans and a black sweater. She grabbed her black coat and scarf and put on her boots.
Cora walked up beside her, "I'll go too."
Cole nodded and they started on their way. Almost half way to their destination they heard familiar hoof beats in the snow. Cole turned to see Dante galloping towards her. His head was held high and his ears forward. It was a beautiful sight. Black moving along the white of the snow. He slowed his pace as he reached his master.
"Hey lover boy!" Cole patted his broad neck, "I've missed you."
He nuzzled her cheek and laid his head on her shoulder (my horse does this and it's adorable!). Cole wrapped her arms around the large beast and closed her eyes. She released him and played with his ears. Cora was stroking a very fat cloud softly.
"Geeze, is everyone knocked up around here?" Cole looked to Dante, "You horn dog."
Cora laughed, "She's due anytime. I keep them in the paddock most of the time but I let them out yesterday."
"Paddock?"
"Oh yeah, we didn't get to see. You have a barn and paddock through the trees on the left of your house."
"Nice."
They continued on their way, their horses close behind. They reach the frozen lake and smiled. Cole stepped on the slick surface and looked to her sister, "You coming?"
Cora stepped on the ice and took off, "I should be asking you that."
Cole glided with grace and looked towards the sky. It was going to start snowing again soon. She then noticed dusk would be as well. Her thoughts trailed to Hiei. Last night they had told each other their true feelings. Even though it may not have been in the sweetest of ways, it meant something. She felt a presence behind her and spun around. Hiei was sitting on the dock watching her. She glided over to him.
"What are you doing here?"
Hiei nodded past Cora, "I came to see the fox fall on his ass."
Cole turned to see Kurama trying to skate. Cora was laughing so hard she couldn't stand. She watched them closely. She seemed so happy with him. But under those happy eyes she could see sadness. This mission wasn't something simple.
"Cole," Hiei's voice snapped her back, "I want you to know this mission is different."
She pulled herself up on the dock and looked at him, "What do you mean different?"
He swallowed, "Not to be a downer but me or the fox could easily die. Even Yusuke."
Cole felt like her heart was going to jump out of her throat, "I don't understand."
"We are going to take down the fighting system that captured you."
She turned to face him, "No Hiei. You don't realize there are powerful demons and crooked angels that run that blasphemy."
"I am doing my job."
"What job? You guys retired almost two years ago!" She was to the point of tears.
"No I'm not doing this for Koenma. I'm doing this for you." He looked at her, his eyes soft, "Cole, I have something to fight for now. Keonma thinks they know where you are. They could come here and kill you and your sister. I couldn't live like that."
"And I couldn't live with you dying because of me."
He reached over and pulled her close, "Cole, I promised I would protect you. I wasn't supposed to tell you this."
She buried her head in his shoulder. Her body felt numb. She knew what was in that place. They could easily die. "Well, one more promise?"
He looked down at her. Crimson met a heart broken black, "I understand you will not make a promise you might break, so, kill them and tear that place apart."
Hiei smirked, "I will. They will find out what happens when they take something that is mine."
Cole chuckled and looked towards her sister and Kurama. They seemed to be having the same conversation; however, Cora wasn't taking it as well as one would hope. "Come on, let's leave them be."
Hiei stood and held out his hand. Cole took it and they began their way through the woods. Dante followed silently behind. Hiei stopped and stroked his soft coat. "I have never seen an animal so loyal."
"Well, we went through battle together. You learn to figure out who you can depend on." She ran her hand up his face, "He saved my life countless times."
Hiei notice how perfect she looked in this setting. The trees bare, the snow covered ground, and the way her stunning eyes popped. Her hair down and, for once, straight. He pulled her close and rested his head on hers. "I really don't want to do this."
Small tears began to fall silently, "I don't want you to either."
He closed his eyes and pulled her into a tight embrace. Out of all his years, this was the hardest thing he had ever done. "Cole, I…I have to go now."
She breathed in deeply and pulled away. He wiped her tears away for what could be the last time. "Don't cry."
She smiled, "Sorry."
His lips met hers softly and deeply. He would fight with all he had. He had a reason now and would stop at nothing to accomplish his quest. He pulled away and ran a hand through those honey colored locks. "Just remember, I'll be waiting. So…if you can manage, come home."
He kissed her forehead, "I promise."
He looked at her one last time and turned to walk away, "Stay out of trouble."
She nodded, crying to hard for words. He then flitted from view. She fell to the ground and sobbed. God, keep him safe.
Cora looked at Kurama in awe. "You can't be serious."
He swallowed, "I can only wish."
The valley green was so serene,
In the middle ran a stream so blue...
She had felt a deep fear that she had never experienced before. Someone she loved so deeply could be ripped from and there was nothing she could do about it.
A maiden fair, in despair,
Once had met her true love there and she told him...
She would say...
"Cora, I don't want to go. Especially now. But I must protect you and our future family. Please try to understand."
She looked to the sky, "It wouldn't be the same if something happened to you."
He sighed, "I know."
Promise me, when you see
A white rose you'll think of me.
I love you so,
Never let go,
I will be...
Your ghost of a rose...
She walked up to him and placed a hand on his face. "I understand, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
He smiled softly, "Figures." He was fighting back tears. He placed a hand on her stomach and closed his eyes. She laid her hand on top of his.
Her eyes believed in mysteries,
She would lay amongst the leaves of amber...
Her spirit wild, heart of a child,
Yet gentle still, and quiet and mild
And he loved her...
When she would say...
Promise me, when you see
A white rose you'll think of me.
I love you so,
Never let go,
I will be...
Your ghost of a rose...
Kurama looked to the sky, a single tear ran down his face. "I have to leave now."
Cora wiped her eyes and hugged him tightly. She loved her mate and prayed to God he would come back. He pulled away and gave her a deep kiss.
When all was done, she turned to run,
Dancing to the setting sun as he watched her...
And evermore he thought he saw
A glimpse of her upon the moors forever...
He'd hear her say...
She pulled something out of her pocket.
"I picked this up when Cole and I were walking here. I've never seen one before."
It was a solid white rose. The petals were about to bloom. "I want you to take this. And then," she paused, "I want you to bring it back to me."
He smiled and nodded, "I will. I love you."
Cora kissed his cheek, "I love you too."
Promise me, when you see
A white rose you'll think of me.
I love you so,
Never let go,
I will be...
Your ghost of a rose...
Cora watched as he walked away towards the temple. She never moved until he was out of sight. She walked trough the woods, taking her time.
"Why does life take us down such unfortunate paths?"
Yusuke held his wife close, "You know I'll be back right?"
Keiko forced a smile, "You better. I'm not raising my son alone."
He chuckled softly and placed a hand on her stomach, "Please be careful and rest."
She laughed and looked at him, "You better be careful and take care of the others. They have lives to come back to."
He leaned over and kissed her gently, "I gotta go now."
She smiled as tears brimmed her eyes, "Ok honey."
"Oh Keiko, don't cry. Please don't."
"Can you blame me?"
He smirked and shook his head, "No, I guess I can't."
He stood and took a deep breath. She rose and kissed his neck, "I love you. Be careful."
He kissed her forehead, "I love you too. Now rest."
She forced a chuckle and sat down. When she heard the door close she burst into tears. Never had she sobbed so hard in her life. Not even when her parents had died a few years ago did she cry so hard. She prayed for strength and her husband to come home safely. She felt the baby move and cried harder. He had better come home for his son. Or Koenma would have to deal with one mad Keiko.
She heard the door close and Yukina entered the living room in tears. "Oh honey come here."
Yukina sat with Keiko on the couch and leaned in her arms. "I don't like this."
"I know sweetie, me either." She sniffled, "So we can cry together ok?"
Cole stood and looked to the place where Hiei once was. "I love you," she whispered. She turned to see Dante still silently standing. He knelt down and she climbed a top of him. She didn't know where she was going but she needed to get away.
The boys stood somberly waiting for Koenma. No one said a word. They all knew each other was torn and upset. Koenma appeared and swallowed. They had been mad before but never…well…he didn't know how to put it.
"I'm sorry for this. I really am."
Kurama looked from the white rose to Koenma. His eyes had a golden tint. Hiei looked out of the window, ignoring the toddler king.
"Well, let's go." Koenma summoned the portal and jumped through. Kuwabara was next followed by Yusuke and then Kurama. Hiei walked up to the portal and looked back out of the window. I love you, he thought. He then disappeared into the portal. It closed behind him.
I can honestly say I almost cried writing this. Idk..that's just me. I hope you all enjoyed. Later Days~