Kurama raced after the little girl, she seemed to keep disappearing and reappearing from his view. Finally, he broke into the abandoned part of the park. The girl was standing next to a relatively large building far away, Kurama ran up quickly.
"They're in here," The girl said slowly, "I would guide you farther but my brother won't let me closer," She looked up at Kurama as her body slowly began to fade away. Kurama's eyes widened as she became harder and harder to see.
"Wait, who are you?" then he thought about his question, "What are you?" the girl smiled up at him with a giggle.
"My name is Sora, and I'm what you would call a ghost,"
"I… don't specialize in ghosts… how can I see you?" her eyes widened then she looked foreword and closed them.
"I'm connected to her, and you desperately wanted to find her, maybe that's why. Good luck," Then she was gone leaving Kurama alone to face whatever was inside the building. Kurama closed his eyes,
"If you need anything, I'm coming out," Youko said with a bit of bitterness added to his voice,
"Don't you think that would frighten her?"
"Remember what Yusuke said?"
"If it comes to it don't hesitate to use your demonic powers, Talon will understand," A small smile tugged at Kurama's mouth.
"Let's go," He took a hold of the knob and opened the door.
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The boy raised his hand, the glass shards levitated as well.
"Die!" the shards shot forward, Talon instinctively held her arms up over her face in protection. Glass hit her arms and legs, the force of the shards smashed into the mirrors next to her; they shattered glittering all around Talon. Talon ripped a breath through her lips as her feet took flight and she ran.
"Run all you want, it won't make a difference," The boys chilling voice echoed through the halls. Talon slipped into a narrow hall running as quickly as she could sideways when the mirrors in that hall broke. Talon froze not daring to move as the sharp rubble pierced into her face and arms. Finally, she leapt out of the broken mirrors into a larger hallway. She bent down gasping for breath, when the little boy's angry image appeared in the mirror in front of her, Talon reared back shocked as the mirror shattered before her. Blood dripped down her forehead splashing onto the glass littering the floor.
There was glass on the ground blood splashed onto it, Talon's eyes widened as the horrifying picture seeped into her mind. A blade slashed downwards, a body fell to the ground. "Daddy?" a child's voice echoed. Talon's fist smacked into the sharp edges of the broken mirror, her widened eyes watched the blood slowly fall down the wood, then it seeped itself into the fibers creating a small long stain in the rotting wood. She ran down to her left down the hall she ended up in another circle of mirrors.
"Another dead end!" She hissed she then spun around to see the little boy walking slowly towards her.
"You thought you could run away from me here?" Slowly his body melted into the mirror beside him and his image appeared in all of the mirrors around her, he gestured around him. "This is my sanctuary," then his finger pointed at her, "And will be your grave," With that the mirrors exploded, Talon felt the sting of the glasses bite onto her legs and arms. The sharp pieces cut through her dress stabbing her body, Talon screamed. Blood splashed onto the floor and walls as her legs gave way she began to fall her head and legs numb.
Someone's arms wrapped around her stopping her fall, through the haze of her pain, she opened her eyes. A length of white hair brushed against her cheek. Her eyes widened as she looked up at a young man. His golden eyes burned with anger and concern as his mouth moved, his words buzzed together like a hum of sound. When she did not answer him, he gently gave her a shake making sure she was still alive. Pain roped up through her body Talon fell back in his arms a cry of shear pain wracked her body. The golden eyes narrowed and turned away from her to look behind him. The boy stood in the hall glaring at Youko; gently he set her down onto the ground trying to ignore Talon's shudders as pressure applied itself to the cuts with glass in them. The boy looked furious stepping out in front of Youko.
"How dare you do this to Talon," Youko spat darkly, there was an evil plant sleeping beneath the building, Youko nudged it awake, the little boy laughed with no amusement.
"Coming to save her only offers you your death," The boy lifted his hand; the glass trembled and slowly lifted up as well forming a circle aiming straight at Youko. "I give you now to walk away," The boy said coldly, Youko grinned opening his mouth in a retort.
"Please…" A strained voice said behind him, he turned startled to see Talon staring up at him. "Leave me… don't get hurt… because of me," She flinched as she slowly forced herself onto her feet. She took a few steps foreword until she was standing right behind Youko. Youko turned back to the boy
"I'm not leaving you here to die Talon," he replied, Talon's eyes widened, He knows my name?
"I take it you aren't going to leave," The boy smirked, "Your loss," His eyes narrowed into small slits and they began to glow red. Talon took a step back fearfully as the boy sent the shards at the two of them. Youko turned putting his arms around Talon protectively as a large head of a plant smashed through the floor. It hit the shards causing them to rain down behind Talon and Youko. Talon pushed away from Youko and collapsed onto her knees.
"He's a ghost… Plants won't have any effect on him," Kurama said,
"I know that," Youko threw back impatiently, "But at least I can use it to protect Talon from the glass," Talon's eyes widened and she looked up just as the ceiling broke and a figure landed onto the ground. Youko glanced over startled as the figure stood up slowly, Talon leapt up onto her feet.
"Hiei?!" He looked first at her in her bleeding exhausted state then his eyes turned to Youko.
Another wave of pain hit Talon just as Hiei said something to the fox while he pulled out his sword. No… both of you get out! Talon's thoughts screamed as the world spun. She fell backwards hitting the glass painfully but she was beyond feeling them. Hiei's sword glinted as he pointed it to the boy. The boy took a step back with realization,
"Now that this area isn't concealed your aura consuming powers are gone," Hiei said, "This sword can cut through you like it would any living thing," the boy looked horrified, a blonde haired girl appeared next to him.
"Toshihiro…"
"Run Sora!" The two of them vanished, Hiei scoffed
"Even after death humans are merely weak and cowards," He turned to Youko who was putting his plant back to sleep, "You know how annoying you are? No one could find you so they used me to go to you," Youko smirked then turned to the unconscious girl behind him. He crouched down easing her out of the glass then into his arms. Her eyes flickered open and her lips moved but no sound came out.
"I'll take her to Botan, Thanks for coming Hiei," Youko said with a slightly teasing tone, Youko knew Hiei would not have come if he himself had not been worried.
"Just shut up and get some help for her," Hiei snapped, Youko nodded then left. Hiei watched him with an unreadable expression he looked down and saw something different amongst the glass; he walked over to it and picked it up. The object was a necklace, its pendant was a dark blue stone shaped like a teardrop, and a golden rose was painted on the front. Hiei pocketed it and left the house of mirrors without another backwards glance.
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Yusuke had gone back to the others even though he preferred looking for Talon. All of the students stood around waiting for the bus but they kept glancing back hoping to see Talon or Kurama.
"Any sign of them?" Karin asked worriedly, Yusuke shook his head gritting his teeth.
"Talon got injured, so I think the two of them might go home later," He forced himself to say," Karin's eyes widened,
"Shouldn't we go wait with them?" She asked, the bus rolled up and everyone climbed on. Yusuke took Karin by the shoulders and shoved her onto the bus ignoring her protests. He turned one last time to skim the grounds but saw nothing. He too walked onto the bus.
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Koenma and Botan were still looking when Youko walked up to them Talon in his arms. Botan ran up to her quickly,
"Talon!" Talon did not stir, slowly Youko set her down onto the ground, and Botan kneeled down next to her pulling out the glass from her cuts. Koenma walked up and crouched down as well.
"Well at least she's still alive," He said reaching over to touch her shoulder, Talon's hand shot out and hit him away.
"Don't…. touch me Koenma…" she slurred Youko raised an eyebrow.
"You don't like me even when you're half dead," Koenma said annoyed, Youko chuckled slightly then he changed back into Shuichii's body.
"What exactly happened?" Koenma asked Kurama, Kurama's eyes narrowed but before he could explain Botan finished cleaning Talon's cuts.
"Before any explanations, Talon needs to get home so she can rest," Botan piped up, the other two looked down at Talon and nodded.
"Kurama take her home, you can contact me using the ebony stones," Botan helped Kurama pick Talon up piggyback style.
"I'll talk to you later then," Kurama then walked away, Koenma and Botan watched them silently then they left.
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Talon's eyes seemed glued shut but she became aware that she was warm then she realized someone was carrying her. She tried to shake off the fog of sleep begging her eyes to open or a sound to come out of her lips she managed to groan.
"Talon?" a concerned voice asked her, she shook the fog again, this time it lifted enough that she could open her eyes. The world was blurry so she lifted her hand rubbing her eyes. She focused on the person carrying her; he had turned to her with a worried gaze. Talon looked into his eyes as she woke up a little more,
"How are you feeling?" Shuichii asked his voice faded in and out of her head.
"I dunno…" She muttered she became more aware that she was sore all over, and there were sharp pricks in random places on her body. Shuichii was saying something else to her but her head was getting fuzzy again.
"I…Can't…" She tried to say but she fell unconscious again her forehead fell against his shoulder. Kurama looked up at the sky watching the moon as it smiled down at them. What did he do to you? He wondered to himself trying to find her aura.
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Talon woke up again shortly after, this time she was very awake. She straightened up to look around. They were almost to the school, Talon blinked with realization.
"Shuichii?" He turned to her with a smile,
"So you're finally awake?" she nodded,
"Did you… carry me all that way?" he looked in front of him,
"Yeah, you're really light," He looked at her again with an inquisitive look, "Do you eat enough?" Talon turned red.
"Even if I'm not light your arms are probably sore from being in that position for this long," Kurama looked up thinking.
"No not really," Talon made a sound of frustration Kurama chuckled then looked down seriously, "Besides, even though your mind is awake now, I doubt your body would be able to stand let alone walk,"
"What do you mean?" she asked, Kurama hesitated unsure of what to say. The ghost was doing more then just physically hurting her. Kurama closed his eyes and stopped walking, thinking back to when he entered the house of mirrors.
The moment he opened the door and went in the house, he fell foreword slightly.
'This place is absorbing my aura,' he thought to himself, he focused greatly feeling for Talon's aura.
"She's weak, switch with me I'll be able to find her faster," Youko said, Kurama shook his head and began to walk through the mirrors. After a while, he could sense a very low pulse of spirit energy. He began to run towards it as it got weaker and weaker.
"If it gets any worse she'll die, If you like it or not I'm taking over,"
Kurama opened his eyes; Talon leaned forward so she could see his face.
"Shuichii?" She asked worriedly, he shook his head and smiled at her.
"Sorry, I was thinking," he began to walk again he looked up at the sky again just as a star shot across the sky. Talon gasped seeing it too Kurama felt himself smile as the star vanished. They continued until they were a street away from Talon's apartment.
"Shuichii what time is it?" Talon asked softly, Kurama shifted to look at his watch.
"It's almost midnight," he replied Talon sighed leaning against his shoulder. "Are you tired?" He asked her,
"A little bit," she mumbled feeling drowsy Kurama chuckled at her faded tone.
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When they arrived, Kurama finally set her down. To Talon's dismay, he had been right she could hardly stand; he held her up while she pulled out her key and opened the door.
"Thank you," She said as she slipped into the door,
"Talon," Kurama said, she turned to him with a smile as she leaned against the doorframe.
"Yes?" Kurama's mind began to race trying to figure out what to say.
"Are….Are you going to be alright?" he stuttered Talon nodded.
"Of course I will be," she raised her hand in a final wave, "I'll see you," And then she shut the door. Kurama took a deep breath before he walked away slowly. He felt strangely heavy now that the conflict was over, for now that is. He activated his ebony stone while he walked.
"Koenma, I need to know what's going on, who was that little boy, you said Talon had killed him, how and when?" Kurama's questions rushed out he was aware that everyone else's ebony stones had awakened but Koenma was not replying.
"Alright, I guess you should know a little of Talon's unspoken past."
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Hiei cocked his head to the side listening closely as Koenma began to explain. Yusuke and Kuwabara listened as well at Kuwabara's house having nothing else to do.
"The people who shot at Talon and the little boy are two different threats, but they are connected. Talon's mother never stayed around Talon and her father all that much. One of the times she was gone she got pregnant with twins, a little girl and a little boy." Koenma hesitated, "Because Talon existed… the people who shot at the school, killed these two infants before they were born," Kurama froze his eyes widened and the color drained from his face. Hiei blinked Yusuke opened his mouth in horror while Kuwabara sat up.
"No way!" He shouted,
"Both of their spirits disappeared shortly after their death, I couldn't find them at all; I assumed that they found peace on there own, but I was shortly proved wrong. For reasons I cannot say, Talon's little brother hates her. Indeed, it was her fault that he was killed, but his actions about it are wrong. He has been trying to find a way to kill her for years; it was not until she told you about her fear of broken glass did her brother have anything against her." Kurama was silent his thoughts flipping in his mind, Talon's little brother… he was the little boy… he was trying to kill her… he only knew how because Talon told…me…
"What about her sister?" Yusuke's voice said, "Does she hate Talon?"
"I don't know about that, her sister has never been a problem, but now it's your turn Kurama, how in the world did you find her?" Kurama took a deep breath and began explaining, when he finished there was silence on the other end.
"Okay," Koenma finally said, and then the stone went dead.
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Talon leaned against the door looking down. Her hair had completely come out of the braid and tumbled in front of her face as she took shaky breaths.
"You said he was alright…," she muttered darkly, slowly she took a step forward and nearly fell on her face; it was obvious her body had not quite recovered. Talon put out her hand reaching for the nearest wall to support her self. She made her way to her bedroom without bothering to kick off her shoes. She fell onto her bed her head spinning greatly. Her heart had started beating quickly as her breath came to her harder and harder. What did you do to me Toshihiro? She asked herself, she curled up on top of the blankets too exhausted to crawl underneath them. Sleep fastened onto her just as a figure slipped through her window.
Hiei stood by staring at her body as it shuddered under the strain of breathing; her aura levels were too low. Slowly Hiei walked up beside her bed taking out the necklace he had found. He dropped it next to her hand then turned to leave, he stopped at her window to look back at her. How strange it seemed, when he first met her she seemed so cold, but now he began seeing her in a different light. Some sort of feeling throbbed in Hiei's stomach, one that he did not like; quickly he turned and leapt out the window.
Koenma stepped into Talon's room just as Hiei left, he felt both amused and curious, and then he turned to Talon. When she breathed she rasped, and in the moonlight, she looked like a mangled doll. Slowly he walked to her and sat down on the bed his eyes narrowed at her aura. What little she had was being eaten quickly by her demonic powers trying to stabilize themselves. Slowly he placed his hand on her face,
"Don't die Talon, There are people who would hate me if I let you do that," from his contact on her skin she began to glow, slowly the golden light engulfed her whole body. Koenma stood watching her for a while as her body began to shudder less when finally she stopped all together. Koenma nodded satisfied then went back to the spirit world. Talon slept peacefully and undisturbed, her necklace began to glow on its own, absorbing as much spirit energy it could.
-Chapter 8 end-
Weellllll maybe it could have been more exciting….. But hey, you now know who the kid is next chapter we discover what was up with that person calling for Maria. As I said I got the vid on Talon's lullaby up ignore my singing please, I was sick -_- youtube.com/watch?v=sUHFTcY3TpI that's the URL. Well thank you for reading, be excited for the next chapter.
