AN: I am extremely sorry for updating so late. I recently watched an AMV on Youtube (which has since been removed, for some obscure reason) and it set in motion a brand new fic that has barely left my mind for more than a few minutes. It is a crossover with Inuyasha, and will have two possible endings. With any luck I'll be able to get them both done and posted by the start of next month.
As a side note, if any of you happen to live in or near Toronto, Canada and are going to the Anime North convention, I will be there dressed as Juri. If you want to meet me or take pics or whatever, I'll be more than happy to oblige.
As always, lots of thanks go to my beta reader for catching the errors I made. You rock, girl!
And now, enough of my blathering and on with the chapter.
Previously:
Hiei snorted disdainfully. "Hn. In that case, we might as well get some information for our trouble." He shot a darkly amused glance at his partner. "Wouldn't you agree, Kurama?"
Kurama smirked. "Of course." He dropped a seed into the ground just behind him. "Yukina, please stay right here."
Yukina barely had time to nod before Hiei and Kurama launched themselves into the center of the demons. A moment later, blood was spraying everywhere, followed by the anguished screams of the dying. Closing her eyes briefly, Yukina forced herself to ignore the call of her healing ability, knowing that these demons were more than likely working for the person… no, rather the monster behind the horrible virus attacking her homeland. If she was going to step into the battle, it would be to assist her friends.
Opening her eyes, Yukina was fortunate enough to spot a demon lurking in the shadows of a tree on the edge of the battle taking place. By the looks of Kurama and Hiei, neither had noticed the loner's presence yet. She watched in silent horror as the demon raised a long, hollow stick to its mouth and took a deep breath.
'Darts!' She realized just before also noticing that the demon's target appeared to be Hiei. The fire demon was currently involved in a swordfight with one of the enemies, so there was no way he could stop and defend himself in time. If the dart hit him, there was no telling what might happen, given how they didn't even know what was contained in it.
Yukina didn't stop to think about the consequences, she simply launched herself forward as the demon let loose his dart. For a moment, everything seemed to move in slow motion. She briefly saw Hiei disarm his opponent and turn his head to see her before she was in front of him and the dart was embedded in her chest.
Instantly, a numbing sensation began spreading throughout her body. Yukina collapsed where she stood, unable to break her fall.
"YUKINA!"
-_-_-_-_-
"YUKINA!"
Hiei leapt forward to catch her before she struck the ground, instantly noting that her temperature was already climbing rapidly to dangerous levels. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a blade coming down at his head and the last of his control snapped. He barely managed to send a telepathic warning to Kurama before the entire mountainside was engulfed in a raging inferno.
It only took a few minutes for the fires to die down, having devoured all of the wildlife that provided the fuel for its angry existence. What remained was a blackened and barren rock, where it was extremely unlikely that anything would ever grow again.
Kurama cautiously approached the figure kneeling in the middle of all the destruction, knowing full well that anything could set the distraught fire demon off again.
"Hiei?" No response. "Hiei, we need to move someplace safer." Still nothing. Kurama narrowed his eyes and grabbed Hiei's shoulder. "Hiei, listen to me, damn it!" He froze as he caught sight of the look in the younger demon's eyes.
Those crimson eyes that revealed Hiei's true emotions were full of fear and anguish. They weren't the eyes of a hardened warrior; they were the eyes of a young child seeking help. It made one wonder just how old Hiei really was.
Kurama sighed softly. There was no doubt that if the virus wasn't stopped soon they would lose Yukina, and Hiei would go on a murderous rampage across both the Makai and the Ningenkai. They couldn't afford to let that happen.
Kneeling next to Hiei, he opened the mental link. /Hiei, you need to listen to me. We need to move to a safer location before more enemies come for us. If we're going to save Yukina and the others, we have to keep moving./
That got a reaction out of Hiei. Shaking his head slowly, he stood up, still cradling Yukina's form, and looked around. "You're right, Kurama. Let's go."
Kurama also stood up. "Where shall we go? If we're being watched, there are few places where we can run."
Hiei was silent for a moment. "There is one location where we'll be safe. I need to return there anyway."
Green eyes widened. "Mukuro's? Are you certain that's wise?" While he had no doubt the woman would help them, he wasn't too sure about the demons that were currently serving under her direction. Some of them were known for their disregard for following orders.
"Mukuro will keep her safe," was all the answer he received before Hiei began moving out of the area. Sighing, Kurama grabbed their packs and ran after him.
Their journey was one of silence. Kurama knew better than to speak to Hiei when he was worried about his sister and Hiei wasn't one for discussing his emotions anyways. The only action they ran into on the way was a small group of lower class demons thinking they'd be an easy target with an unconscious female. They were quickly sent on their way from the glare that Hiei sent in their direction.
Upon arriving at Mukuro's fortress, they were greeted by none other the Mukuro herself. She took one look at Yukina lying in Hiei's arms and waved at them to follow her. Kurama fell back slightly to take the rear position with Hiei in the middle, making it easier to guard against anyone foolish enough to try anything, unlikely as that event might be. It never hurt to be too cautious about these things.
Coming to a stop before a door in the medical ward, Mukuro broke the silence. "At the start of this epidemic I had my mechanics create a certain device, a sort of variation of the restoration tanks." Pushing open the door, she entered the room and revealed a series of tanks. "This particular device holds a person in a state of suspended animation. As long as the tank remains undamaged, whoever is inside will remain in exactly the same condition as when they first entered." She turned to Hiei and raised her eyebrow. "This might be the only way to keep your sister alive long enough to find a cure."
Hiei's jaw clenched but he nodded. "What do I need to do?"
Mukuro's eye softened slightly and she waved her hand at one of the tanks. "Put her into that tank, exactly as she is." Once Hiei had done so, she walked over to the control panel and punched in a series of commands. Fluid began to fill the tank Yukina was in and tubes came down from the top to cover her mouth and nose. Before long, the tank was full, leaving Yukina in a dreamless sleep.
Watching silently from the side, Kurama's mind was working quickly. If Hiei trusted Mukuro enough to watch over his sister in her current condition, then there was the possibility that she might not object to letting some others use the machines.
Pushing away from the wall, he cleared his throat. "Mukuro, I have a favor to ask of you."
"You want to bring those two friends of yours here and put them in the tanks."Mukuro cut him off, turning to him with a small, wry smile on her face. "Hiei told me that two of your old students had contracted the virus."
"I see." Kurama said softly, giving Hiei a curious look. He had to wonder exactly what had been said. "Then may I have your permission to go and retrieve them?"
Mukuro nodded. "Go ahead. I have no desire to see any more good demons lost to this epidemic. Will you need a portal?"
"Yes, actually. They are currently located at Genkai's temple in the Ningenkai."
"Very well." Turning away briefly, Mukuro picked up a small golden orb from within a drawer on the side of the control panel. In a matter of moments, the orb had taken her message and she gave it to Kurama. "Bring that to the control room and they will create a portal for you. Just follow the hallway."
Kurama gave a small bow. "My thanks." Turning, he rushed out of the room and down the hallway.
It didn't take him long to locate the room in question, although the demons were not exactly thrilled to receive their orders to create a portal on his request. It wasn't until they received the orb that they cooperated. When their faces paled, Kurama gathered that there would be dire consequences should they fail to comply with Kurama's requests.
The portal opened up at the entrance to Genkai's temple, just outside the barrier that had been erected. Allowing his energy to flare slightly to alert those inside, Kurama waited somewhat impatiently for someone to come.
Fortunately for his patience, Yusuke came running over to him. When the Toushin opened his mouth to speak, however, Kurama raised his hand and cut him off.
"Yusuke, I don't have time for your demands right now. I need to see Genkai as soon as possible."
Yusuke gaped for a second before a dark scowl set on his face. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? You and Hiei take off without at least telling me what's going on, bringing Yukina with you, and now you show up alone and say you don't have time? I want answers, Fox-boy and I want them-"
"Yusuke." The cold voice interrupted him. "I am not in the mood for this. Bring Genkai. Now."
Yusuke finally noticed the gleaming golden eyes before him and shivered. "Big trouble?"
"…Yukina has the virus." No more really needed to be said.
Yusuke's eyes widened in realization. "Gotcha. I'll get Grandma." And with that said, he took off for the temple.
In short order, Genkai walked out of the temple and waved him over. Briefly puzzled, given how the barrier was still up, Kurama raised his hand and pushed lightly against the wall in front of him. Feeling no resistance, he walked through and looked back to see the barrier solidify once more.
"So Yukina has contracted the virus, has she?"
He turned to face Genkai. "She has." Tilting his head towards the temple, he raised an eyebrow in silent query.
Genkai sighed. "They're not doing so well. At this rate, they won't survive long enough for you to find a cure."
Kurama lowered his gaze. "I see. Then it's a good thing I came." He started walking down the hallway to the sickroom.
Genkai walked beside him, looking up at him thoughtfully. "I doubt you managed to find a cure that quickly, so what could you mean by that?"
Reaching for the door, he opened it, allowing those inside to hear his answer at the same time. "We've found a means to temporarily stop the virus's progression."
A tense silence settled over everyone else until it was broken by Rinku.
"So you've found a cure? That sure was fast."
Kurama shook his head. "No, not a cure, just a way to prevent the virus from doing more damage. Mukuro has found a means to place people in a frozen state, outside of time. Yukina has already been placed in one of the tanks and Mukuro has offered to allow Touya and Jin to be placed in another."
"Now wait just a second there, Kurama!" Suzuka interjected. "Just what kind of proof do we have that this is actually safe?"
Kurama leveled a glare at the inventor. "Considering that Hiei willing placed Yukina in this device, I'd wager that it's quite safe."
Genkai stepped forward before Suzuka could make things worse. "Alright, since we have the means, we might as well use them." She turned to Kurama. "Do you have a way to get back there quickly?"
Kurama raised the small mirror he'd been given before leaving the fortress. "This will create a portal to Mukuro's."
Genkai nodded. "Good. Alright, then you two," she pointed to Chuu and Suzuka. "will carry Jin and Touya. Kurama, it's probably best if you don't get too close to them. You may be half-human, but your still an elemental."
Things moved quickly after that. They managed to get Jin and Touya through the portal and over to the room where Yukina was being held. Yusuke ran off to find Hiei to see how he was doing.
Mukuro glanced over at them as they entered the room before nodding toward two of the empty tanks beside Yukina's.
Once Touya and Jin were set in the tanks, Mukuro turned to Kurama. "Come with me to the communications room. We received some intelligence that I think you'll want to hear." She paused, looking at the others. "The rest of you can remain here."
Curiosity perked, Kurama followed her down another of the long hallways. "Where is Hiei? I didn't think he'd want to leave Yukina's side if there was nothing else to do."
Mukuro gave a strained chuckle. "Yes, well, I had to render him unconscious before he could go tearing off on his own." She paused in the hallway, looking over her shoulder at Kurama. "You see, we believe we've found the home base of the mastermind."
Kurama froze. "You have? Who is it?"
"I'm afraid we don't have that information, but we do have a location." She started off again, Kurama at her heels. "It was pure luck that we managed to come across this information, but apparently there is an abandoned castle to the north of here. Underneath this castle is a network of tunnels that have been converted into some kind of laboratory. That's where this epidemic originated."
They entered the communications room to find Yusuke already there.
"I hope you don't think that you're leaving me behind this time."
Kurama blinked before a small smirk made its way across his lips. "Of course not Yusuke. Knowing your luck, you'll lead us straight to the monster responsible for this."
"Damn straight I will!" Yusuke nodded sharply before pausing. "Hey, wait a minute… Just what the heck is that supposed to mean?!"
A dark voice floated out of the corner of the room. "Stop your whining, Toushin. It's a waste of time."
Everyone turned to see Hiei stalk out of the shadows, eyes narrowed dangerously.
Yusuke chuckled nervously. "Sorry, Hiei, old habit."
"Hn."
Mukuro and Kurama rolled their eyes at Yusuke's antics. Some things never changed, no matter what the circumstances.
Clearing her throat, Mukuro gained the attention of all three of them. "If you're quite done, would you mind paying attention and looking over here?" She directed their attention toward a map on the table nearby. "As you can see, we've managed to map out the activity of the virus. From the way the virus has been spreading, we were able to backtrack enough to get the location of its origin, right here." She pointed to a spot circled on the map. "This is where our information led us. I plan on sending some of my men to-"
"Forget it." Hiei cut her off. "This problem has become personal for us. We will take care of it our way."
Mukuro narrowed her eye at the apparition before turning her gaze on Yusuke and Kurama only to find the same conviction on their faces. Sighing, she relented.
"Very well, but be careful. Two of you are aligned with elements, so you'll be at risk of catching the virus if you haven't already." The last bit was directed towards Hiei, given how he had been holding Yukina after she'd fallen prey to it.
Hiei snorted and turned, already walking out the door with Yusuke and Kurama behind him. "I won't fall until that bastard is dead and Yukina is safe."
Gazing after them, Mukuro could only hope that his words would be true.
-_-_-_-_-_-
A portal opened up near the castle, dropping Hiei, Kurama and Yusuke deep in enemy territory.
The three of them gazed at the ruins before them in silence. Here before them was the base of the bastard who had created the virus. Somewhere within was a monster who gleefully toyed with other's lives.
Hiei took the lead. "Let's go."
AN: The plot thickens. For anybody breathing a sigh of relief over the three now enclosed in the tanks... well, I hope you don't get too relaxed just yet. I can't let it end that easily. XD.
Anyways, please leave a lovely little review.
