hey guys, its official, if you're confused about this story, you might get some answers in Eternity, as i have announced in chapter 61 that this is officially the sequel to it.
...
Riane sighed, having no desire to focus on school. It all seemed to trivial, now that she knew what was expected of her. She had to complete her task, and make sure that this world did not get destroyed. How she was going to do that, she knew she would find out in time. Hell, she spent so much time thinking about it, she wasn't even scared anymore. Besides, she had to think about who could be a possible enemy, which was anyone here. Once she had finally been able to sense Hiei around, she no longer needed training. She was kind of grateful for that, but she knew they were really waiting until she fought in a real situation, not just someone trying to get her to become stronger. There was however, only one demon at this school, and she knew who he was, so there was no need to worry about such things.
As time progressed, she only felt detached from herself more and more. She knew that finding out the mistakes of the past would help them figure out the future, and what was to come. She, however, had not been to any of their meetings for their plan of action, but she was going to invade one, and then probably ask Yusuke what happened last time. She knew Kurama would be the best, but the loss of his mate made it a touchy subject, and she wasn't going to let him dwell further into pain because of it. He had done nothing but try to help her, and she wasn't going to show her appreciation by bringing up such a depressing moment, even though the temple was good enough to let him wallow.
Yes, Riane could see his emotions, despite his best efforts to hide them. The two of them got along well, and her only hope was that she was able to comfort some of the pain. She couldn't explain the attraction she had to him, but she knew that it was a good thing. his intelligence really astonished her, and she wanted nothing more than to solve this case and be done with it. What's more, Kurama seemed to have this way about him that made her submit. No matter how much she wanted to argue, she would listen to him, and only him. She didn't understand why that was, it was never like that before, but it was there.
But that wasn't what needed her attention, it was the matter at hand. As her class ended, she started walking away, no destination clear in her mind. She knew Kurama had already left, and was happy that she was finally able to wander without an escort. She had taken to thinking on her own, but this was the first time she'd be able to walk by herself and become consumed in her own world of thoughts.
...
"So what's the plan then?" asked Kuwabara. They were all sitting in the dojo, regrouping from the last meeting they had.
"Continue to observe until they make a move. It would be foolish to go charging in until we have a clear view of their objective," said Kurama.
"Makes sense, have you figured out that prophecy thing yet?" asked Yusuke.
"No, it seems unclear. The beginning is straight forward. When the moons shine becomes dark was when the eclipse took place, and the time of despair was the panic it caused by how long it lasted. The rest of it is completely obscure, and has no sense of time."
"Wouldn't the chosen one be S-" Kuwabara was cut off.
"No. It speaks of the chosen one completing a second and third task... Riane is the one it speaks of, the chosen one, the key. I cannot make out who the one with the pure heart is, nor the nightwalker and his curse."
"So if that's the case, then Riane still has to complete a first task before the other two," said Genkai.
"Yes. The prophecy is as useless to us now as it was never knowing it. Riane does not know her focus, but she believes she will when the time is right."
"Yeah, I remember someone telling me about people being guided by destiny or something like that. I think it was..." But Yusuke looked at Kurama and then dropped the subject.
"We control our own fate," said Kurama, his eyes hardening at the words Riane had written down. The words of the prophecy, somehow she had managed to read that ancient language. Perhaps it was because she had to know at the time, it was the only way something like that would make sense. She had taught him that the things we do will become clear upon necessity, that's what Yusuke was trying to get at.
"You humans have a knack for getting into trouble," said Hiei.
"Then go deal with the demons. Alert Yomi, let him know only what he needs to know."
"I already have. He knows we're not telling him everything."
Kurama nodded, "More demons have crossed into the Ningenkai, all very low level. They have not come anywhere near the temple, they are spread out along the elemental shrines."
"But I thought they were all done with?" asked Kuwabara.
"They are, but because of the resonating power there, that is where they feel most comfortable. It may even be possible that they'll be able to draw the power from there to improve and launch an attack."
"For which we would be completely unprepared," said Genkai.
"That much is true, I think it's time to call in some old favours, human and demon alike."
"Shouldn't we get Yomi and the others to start mobilizing?" asked Yusuke.
"I think that would be too premature, unless they can do it quietly."
...
It was getting late, but Riane kept walking around the city. She didn't want to go home yet, she felt better just walking. Too bad there wasn't much to do. She could have easily drove, but she felt like walking today. She kept to herself mostly, but her guard was up. She couldn't sense anything as of yet, but that didn't mean nothing was out there. The air became chilled, but she wasn't cold. Winter here sucked worse than back home, but that was to be expected. Her senses perked up, she could smell a demon behind her. Keeping her training to her heart, she didn't alter her pace or look back. She had to keep herself calm, she had no idea if this was friend or foe, but she knew that if this demon planned on attack, she would be ready.
Her senses had developed intensely since her training, as strong as an animal, and she had started to recognize scents as time kept flowing. This was one she had never smelled before, one that had a faint hint of rotting flesh, probably from its mouth. It was disgusting, but Yusuke had told her that some demons eat humans, and that's why the demon world stank so badly. What was she to do of it? She never thought there would be a reason for her to venture into hell, but they could come here all they like. She would be ready.
Her eyes hardened, as she turned into an alleyway. She jumped up so that she couldn't be cornered there, and waited for her stalker. He looked like a man, but she knew better. Once he was a good distance away from the only exit, she jumped down, and he turned to face her. He smiled maliciously, his face covered in shadow. His overcoat was long and dark as well, but his hair was a light colour, and short. He was big, twice the size of her, but she wasn't intimidated by size. She had Hiei to thank for that.
"What do you want?" she asked coldly, glaring at her opponent.
"You, cold and lifeless by my hand," said the demon.
Riane smiled, "You're the one harassing me. Finally I can pay you back."
The demon laughed, "Foolish girl, you don't stand a chance against me. I can feel your pathetic energy, weak and helpless. I knew it was a matter of time before the pure let you off the leash."
"You don't scare me. Your energy is nothing to mine."
"You underestimate your enemy, a foolish mistake."
"One that you are also accountable for."
"Enough of this, it is time for you to die," said the demon, lunging at her for a first attack.
...
The meeting for the day was done, but there would be more to it the next day, that they were sure of. This was going to be war, but their opponent was running the show, and it was impossible to know what their first move was. What Kurama wouldn't give for her strategics. She was often in the defensive in her past life, and would have a good plan of action. He sighed, walking to her room, seeing as he hadn't been there yet. He went to check on Riane, but the door was closed, no light coming from the door. She wasn't home yet, nor had she been. Confused, he walked back to where the others were, wondering if they had seen her.
"Where's Riane?" asked Kurama.
"Yeah, shouldn't she be home from school by now?" asked Yusuke.
Kurama nodded. It was strange that she wasn't home before dark, she usually was.
"Well you said she was strong enough to wander off on her own, I'm sure she's fine," said Kuwabara.
"You really are stupid," said Hiei.
"Hey! Take that back!"
"Hn. After we just finished discussing the demons flowing into this world, you declare that she's fine?"
"Hiei, sounds like you care," said Yusuke smiling.
"You should find her," said Kurama, looking at the small fire demon. Hiei didn't respond, simply just disappeared from where he was standing. Kurama began to run as well. Between the two of them, they'd be able to find her, and hopefully in time.
...
Riane hadn't been hit by this demon yet, but she was slowing down. His attacks were quick, and somehow she had gotten turned around so that the dead end was behind her. He really meant to kill her, but she kept up her agility. At least all those months of training was paying off. She could see his every movement, feel his power before it struck, and she smiled. If he thought his demon energy would give him the advantage, boy was he wrong. She didn't spend all of her training just with her limbs, she had learned to focus her spirit energy, and create her own weapon. But that could wait, this demon wasn't worth it if he couldn't even hit her. She was wrong to underestimate him. After her last thought, she was finally hit, but recovered quickly, landing on her feet in front of him. She continued to glare at him as he smiled over her.
"Pathetic girl, you will die tonight," said the demon.
"I think not. The only blood spilled tonight will come from your own veins," she retorted, her voice cold.
"You shouldn't even exist."
"So I keep hearing, and yet, here I am."
"Not for long. I'm finished playing games," he said, unsheathing a sword she hadn't noticed before. Fine, it was time for her weapon if he was done.
"As am I," she told him, summoning her spirit energy to create a green coloured double sided lance. Yusuke had showed her the spirit gun, Kuwabara the spirit sword, she knew how to use either of those, but for some reason, this was the weapon that came to her, and she felt most comfortable with it. Never had she created it before, but she knew how to use it. She didn't know how she knew, but she did, and that was all that mattered now.
The first attack came, but it she was easily able to divert the sword and use the other end of her lance to attack, slicing his cheek. She was quick, smiling smugly at him while he narrowed his eyes. Not wasting anymore time, the two of them began to dance around, trying to get in a good blow. Riane hadn't decided if she would kill him or not, she knew that it would ensure her safety, but she did not know if she could.
...
Kurama began his search at the school, since that was where she last was. He noticed her car there, which meant she had walked somewhere else. He had never really been all that good at tracking, she was much better at it, but what choice did he have? The trail wasn't all that warm, at least, not for his nose, but he followed it, hoping it was the right direction. Not like he didn't know Riane's scent, it was the same as her's. Running along her path, he noticed that she twisted and turned a lot, and wondered if she had maybe gotten lost. That hope died when he smelled another scent, a demon one, on the same trail as Riane's. There was another one too, another demon that was fresher, so it must have been following the other one. What was going on here?
Kurama picked up his pace, however. There were two demons following Riane, so it meant that she was in trouble, or worse, dead.
...
Riane was tired, and she had minor cuts on her legs and arms, and one on her left cheek. She was breathing hard, but her attacker was calm. He was a lot tougher than she thought, but she wouldn't give up. She had to win, had to complete her task. Losing now would be a complete waste, especially after everything she went through just to get here. Losing on the first fight was stupid, and she was not going to let that happen. Using her lance for support, she raised herself from one knee, standing to face her enemy.
"I must say, you are giving more trouble than I thought you would," said the demon.
"I told you that you couldn't kill me," she spat at him.
"You are wounded, and cannot even keep up with me anymore. I think I'll just finish you now."
In the blink of an eye, he was behind her, his blade against her neck. Riane's eyes widened. How could this happen? Now of all times? Stupid! Fuck she was stupid! She knew what she should have done, but she didn't, and now she was going to die. She let everyone down, because she was too cocky to accept running. She probably could have outran him, but no, she decided to fight.
"Any last words," his voice was menacing, barely above a whisper and right at her ear.
"Yeah, lower the sword and let me go," she said. No way she was going to beg for her life.
He pulled her hair tighter against him, "Nice try."
"I have some words for you, Arashi!" said a new voice, one that Riane did not recognize. She heard Arashi growl, and then she saw the owner of the new voice jump down in front of them. He wasn't very big, but his sword was. His hair was quite messy, but dark brown and he had sky blue eyes. He had a smirk on his face as he stood before them, locking eyes with his enemy, "Let the girl go."
"Takashi... She must die! She shouldn't even exist in the first place!"
"She is the key, and I will not let you destroy the prophecy. Let her go now, or you die by my hand."
"Take your shot. One move and I will cut her throat."
"How little you know of me Arashi," said Takashi, disappearing from the spot. Riane didn't know how it happened, but she was forced to the ground, supporting herself with her hands. She turned to look and saw Arashi with a new piercing. Too bad it was fatal, as she watched her attacker die and slide easily off Takashi's giant sword. Riane got to her feet quickly and summoned her spirit lance, taking a defensive stance. "Whoa, whoa whoa, is this how you thank your saviour?"
"Who are you?" asked Riane.
"So very unwilling to trust. I suppose that's a good survival instinct. I'm not here to kill you, if I wanted you dead, I would have just let him do my dirty work for me," said Takashi, sheathing his sword across his back.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Takashi. I'm the keeper of the prophecy, and since you're the key, I'm pretty much your protector."
"You are not the one with the pure heart."
"No, in fact, I'm not mentioned in it at all. I'm just the keeper, we don't really get much for a reward. Just sit around and make sure everything comes into play. We don't want the world to die, so therefore, you must stay alive."
Riane was still in the defensive. She didn't know if she could trust this demon or not, but after what he had done to Arashi, she decided she could let her weapon disappear, "Where do you come from? You don't smell like demon world."
"I can't tell you that. I'm really not even supposed to show myself, but I was pretty sure he was going to kill you, so that's what happened."
"How do you know him?"
"He used to be like me, but he went astray. He decided that it was better to just kill you and watch everything die. That wasn't even him to be honest, just his shadow."
"What?"
"Arashi is a powerful enemy. He'll do anything to stop you, so watch your back from now on. I don't have time to do it for you. Speaking of time, I better go. Take care of yourself."
"Hey!" But Takashi was gone. She ran to the spot he stood but she couldn't see where he cold have gone. Damn. She looked down at the corpse of Arashi, but that had disappeared as well. So he really was just a shadow. She had thought it was strange that there wasn't any blood. But still, it was a shadow that could hurt, because she could smell her own blood in the air.
...
Kurama could only smell blood, Riane's blood. During his run, he could feel little pricks of pain on his arms and legs, and he had no idea why he was feeling them. He knew he was getting closer though, because the scents were becoming stronger. He increased his pace, wondering if she had died. But for some reason, he knew that he would feel it if she had. He stopped dead in his tracks, smelling Hiei now. He breathed a sigh of relief. If Hiei was there, then she was safe.
He was proven right by the two of them walking out of the darkness and towards him. Riane was not bleeding, but she did have some cuts on her arms, one on her cheek and a few on her legs. Her eyes were confused, but at least she was safe. He walked up to them, putting a hand on her shoulder, but then he froze as her scream pierced his ears. Once again, There she was, clear in his mind. Tawny hair, tawny eyes. He tried to pull his arm away, but he just couldn't move.
Riane was screaming. Images of silver, red, and tawny flooded her mind and she couldn't make them out. They were bombarding her brain, and she felt like it was going to explode of they didn't stop. Desperately she tried to get Kurama to move his arm, but it was stuck there. She clawed at it until finally it all stopped and she dropped to her knees. She wiped her tears, and looked up. Hiei was holding Kurama's wrist, obviously he had intervened. His red eyes were staring at Riane, an unrelenting stare and she had no idea why he was looking at her like that.
