CHAPTER 11 – God is a woman
She had always believed her destiny was so much more than what others had planned out for her. It wasn't hope that kept her breathing and fighting. She was built from sheer determination, self-discipline and wits that would and could put many to shame. She had promised herself to rise above the crowd and stare back at them smiling. No one could hinder her core.
Silent steps roamed the streets, coffee in her right hand, eyes scanning the swarms of people. Seeing her target approach, stopping in her tracks, she waited and watched. A sole figure captured her attention.
"Myra stop!"
She hissed out the order making the female almost trip against her own legs. While locks blew in the wind as amethyst eyes searched the face that watched her calm and almost amused. Panic drained the color in Myra's cheeks as she drew closer to Klarise, caution being ever present.
"Where is she?"
Klarise searched the nameless faces passing them before turning back to the impatient human in front of her.
"I didn't come here to talk about Lya. The wind barely picked up, we have time. Come with me."
Myra allowed herself to be led in a secluded bar where she let the idea that she was all alone with the ruler of Spirit World sink in. She scanned her with those serene eyes, ideas never resting in her head. She was creepy so Myra could understand Kuwabara's reluctance in briefing her on their status.
"Why are you here Klarise?"
She enquired using all her charm as to not sound too harsh. Klarise slowly rested her back against the small sofa she was on, hands traveling across the smooth velvet material, eyes locked with Myra's.
"I came to talk to you, stop you in this mad pursuit. Explain some things better, things you have failed to see."
Myra nodded politely trying to sit as straight and still as possible.
"Firstly stop, just stop."
"I don't understand."
Myra trailed on while picking at her gloves under the table.
"Myra, you are the Spirit Detective and I hope you know that. There is no guarantee for how long Rin and Lya will be on the team."
Myra stared at her drink wondering if her hand would tremble if she reached out for it. Yet she wanted to since her mouth felt dry.
"You can't forget they are demons and hold different loyalties."
Klarise eyed the people in the bar letting Myra gather her thoughts. After licking her lips she spoke.
"So you set them up to fail?"
Klarise watched her raising her brows. A small smirk crossed her thin lips.
"No dear, I didn't, that's up to them. But Rin will still go for the kill and Lya, well it's either up or down for her. If I fail to hold to my end of the bargain she won't have it and you know that."
Myra nodded raising her eyes to finally look at Klarise, hopping her anger was not too visible on her face.
"Are you telling me you won't help her?"
Klarise took in a deep breath, eyes lowering.
"If I could, if it would have been that simple I would have done it last year. It would have meant less" she stopped searching in her mind for the right words "mess to clean up. But it's not that simple and I must play my cards carefully. In order for me to help her, a new life must be lost."
After a few moments of silence Myra finally spoke once more.
"What do you need me to do?"
A spark lit up in Klarise's eyes chilling Myra to the bone. Although she had memorized all their encounters down to the number of breaths taken, subtle grimace changes, hand gestures, words and steps taken while walking she still couldn't understand what was so unnerving about the new ruler.
"Nothing." Klarise spoke in a low tone "Exactly that. Stop fussing over Lya, don't pamper her. Don't help Rin, don't get too close because you'll be the only one left."
Myra swallowed hard, certain Klarise noticed.
"What about the boys? What will you do to them?"
Klarise drew closer to the table placing the palm of her hands on the wooden material. Myra felt the need to sit up straighter, back pressing hard against the backrest of her chair.
"I won't do anything, you'll see they will make their own choices."
"Tell me."
Myra demanded suddenly the anger catching voice. She placed a hand on her glass only to quickly retract it noticing she tore through the fabric of her gloves with her nervous fidgeting.
"Lya will go down, her loss is indeed too much to endure. Rin will rot in prison after her kill. Yusuke will go back to Demon World and so will Hiei. Yukina will eventually follow and as you know Kazuma loves her so he will go as well. Kurama, well how long do you think he'll be here after his beloved mother passes away?"
Myra stared at her, mouth wide open, not blinking.
"I will do my best to keep them close but it's only a matter of time."
"And why would I stay and be a Spirit Detective?"
Klarise let out a heavy sigh, tilting her head back, eyes analyzing the ceiling.
"You are so young and have so much to learn."
Myra's eyes fell to her hands.
"I guess so, but I will want to believe in something more. Lya might not go down, she might find one thing, one person to help her."
From across her she heard Klarise laughing.
"Like who? All four of them can't measure up to…" she stopped herself but quickly recovered "if she does let someone near, good, and you would want to see Rin do the same?"
"Why not?" she stated normally.
"Oh Myra, oh dear, no. Stop, stop what you're doing and turn into who you need to be."
Klarise's eyes drifted to the window behind her.
"I have to go, me and Rin need to have a talk as well."
Myra drew closer.
"Tell me where's Lya?"
Klarise got up, Myra mirroring her gesture.
"Go home, Lya is safe. She won't do something stupid but you will not approach her, not unless you want to repeat the near death experience from last year. But I need to see to her being safe. There's a certain fire demon on the prowl. Go home and think about what I said."
Klarise gripped Myra's forearm, eyes widening slightly.
"Until the next time we meet."
Myra stood there watching Klarise walk out of the bar and shivered holding the hand she had just touched not being able to escape the feeling she knew more. Abut all of them and what their destinies were to become.
As soon as Yusuke left Rin's apartment, Klarise made her way inside the building. She had no intention of meeting up with the male side of the team unless it was necessary. Two short knocks got Rin to the door thinking Yusuke forgot something at her place.
"Shit! I didn't do anything yet."
She stepped aside making room for the ruler to come inside, eyes stuck to the back of her head.
"It's true, you didn't do anything, but I don't have to wait for such an occasion to visit."
She looked past her shoulder in time to see Rin rolling her eyes.
"I prefer the no news is good news approach."
"Not effective I'm afraid."
Klarise spoke as she entered the living room. Rin joined her, placing herself in an armchair, watching Klarise sitting on the couch like she owned the place.
"Is there a reason for your visit or did you just get bored and wanted to chat?"
Klarise crossed one leg over the other, eyes focused on Rin, flashing her a sinister smile.
"There is a reason yes, however I do not appreciate your tone."
Rin traced her upper teeth with her tongue.
"Well excuse me for not being a big fan of the Spirit World approach. You interrupted my life style so can't promise I will be nice."
"Yet you are a Spirit Detective."
Rin leaned forward in her chair.
"For now and not by choice."
"This is one of the reasons I came over to talk." Klarise mentioned, eyes hinting towards the dark side "Have you thought about our talk in Spirit World."
Rin eyed her carefully, not moving unless it was necessary. Yet her mind had already thought out a plan for how to escape and attack if needed.
"I thought I told you I'm not backing down."
Klarise raised her hand slightly.
"Yes, however as days go by, you continue to grow closer to the team. Do you really think all their feelings will remain the same after you have killed one of them?"
"Tsk, do I look stupid?" she asked slicing the air with her hand "Of course not. The only reason I chose this approach was so that I could toy with my prey."
Klarise nodded once, strands of hair flowing past her shoulder blades.
"You still think you will escape. You are still hopping of getting back to your kind."
"And I will. Now what do you want?" Rin concluded smirking.
"I will give you an address." She said holding out her hand to Rin for some paper and a pen "There you will find Lya. I need you to go to her and make her come to you before Hiei makes his appearance. I will stall him as much as I can."
"What?" Rin snorted watching Klarise like she had just gone mad "You want me to talk to Lya on this day? The day she goes bonkers?"
Klarise got up, taking a pen and paper that were near Rin on the coffee table.
"I want you to reason with her. You are the only one who understands the pain of losing someone. While you had time to heal, her suffering is still very raw. I'm sure you understand."
Rin glanced at the address on the piece of paper hung in front of her.
"Any advice?" she asked taking the paper.
"Use caution, every ounce you can muster."
She looked up at Klarise to notice she was staring out the window.
"You'd want to take those clothes inside."
"What? Why?"
Rin turned in her armchair to see her clothes violently blowing as the wind picked up.
"I must go."
Rin listened to the door close behind Klarise and cursed out loud.
The doorbell rang several times before Kurama answered.
"Are you alone?"
Yusuke asked the second his friend opened the door.
"If you're looking for Kuwabara, he left a half hour ago. Please come in."
Kurama watched as Yusuke walked inside. His expression held something harsh that did not suit his young face. Shoulders and back slouched like he was carrying the weight of the world. Before he could ask his question, Yusuke turned.
"Got beer?"
"There is some left since the last time you all came over. It's in the refrigerator."
Kicking off his shoes, Yusuke aimed for the kitchen, gulping down half a can before Kurama made his way in the door frame. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he pinned Kurama in place with his wide stare.
"I know who Rin's target is."
Kurama's eyes fell on the can clutched in Yusuke's hand.
"Judging by your body language, you came here to tell me I am the target. I figured as much, but I wasn't certain. How do you know?"
Yusuke gave Kurama a beer before speaking again, one which he took but didn't open.
"She's been planning this for over forty years. Me and Kuwabara haven't even lived that long, she came here instead of staying in Demon World, so Hiei is out of the question. You are the only one left and you apparently killed someone close to her."
Kurama gripped the can a bit tighter.
"I see, I might have."
"You mean to say you don't remember her?"
Kurama thought back on all his encounters with her, the exchange of words, everything was methodically planned out in order to draw him closer. She wanted to make him feel the same pain she did. Yet he didn't remember her. He was certain he would have if he only could catch her in her demon form.
His ringing phone brought him back to the present.
"Hello Myra. No, it's fine, tell me what happened."
Yusuke watched his friend exchange a worry look. He could pick up Myra inviting Kurama over and quickly crumble when Kurama wanted to tell her he was busy. She was crying and didn't want to be alone.
"I'm on my way Myra."
Closing the call, Yusuke nodded to Kurama.
"Take care, we'll talk later tonight if we can."
The winds hollered through the streets, cold and merciless and strong. Each gush of wind stronger, each breath weaker. The winds carried the cries and screams, haunting sounds that only ghosts could make.
Klarise stood still on the ground staring in the distance at a small abandoned church. Inside it Lya prayed to whatever God she saw fit at that time, to anyone who would dare listen to her plea. She did a good job at redirecting her energy throughout the city. That way they couldn't find her, wouldn't, all except for one.
"Don't get any closer."
Hiei stared at the building trembling from all its roots as the wind threatened to destroy it. Klarise motioned for him to come closer to her.
"What are you doing here?"
Pressing her index finger to her lips she shushed him and proceeded to whisper ignoring his query.
"Careful or she'll hear you."
Hiei glanced at the church once more.
"What do you mean?"
The wind blew through Hiei's hair, the motion coming to a halt before picking up once more, causing him to shelter his eyes from the swirling dust. Hiei turned back to Klarise, questioning crimson eyes staring into hers.
"Come closer."
Taking just a step he concluded that was close enough. Klarise let out a long strained sigh, looking tired by just dealing with him for a few seconds.
"Why are you here Hiei? What do you hope to accomplish today?"
His attention fell back to the building, eyes lingering on the shaky doors.
"I'm here to stop her from doing something that would mean you getting your hands on her again."
A small chuckle was heard from Klarise.
"I see you're still mad about her punishment in Spirit World. Don't worry Hiei, today not even death would come for her."
"Why are you here woman?"
His signature glare didn't even make Klarise flinch.
"To ensure you don't get close to her. Just let her listen to the winds, mourn, don't bother her."
Hiei remained silent, trying to understand her words.
"She's searching, hopping."
"It's her brother, isn't it?" he concluded arms wrapped across his chest. Klarise raised her eyes to him.
"No, it's a different level of Hell."
She watched his eyes hold a new shine, breath lodged in his chest.
"Listen" Klarise motioned to the thin air "It's haunting, chilling. You can't understand."
"Then make me."
Klarise repositioned herself, glancing at the church before setting her full attention on Hiei.
"I can't tell you who she lost, but I can tell you why the sound technique is forbidden. But before that I must tell you how I found Lya."
Hiei sat on the ground, drawing a bit closer to Klarise making sure he won't lose any whispers coming out of her mouth.
"I didn't plan for a two deal. I know you are dying to learn who she actually is, especially since she should have died, well most do consider her dead. Imagine my surprise. We got a reading on Myra who we also thought was dead. Lya found her severed body in a pool of her own blood, barely breathing. She gave her some of her energy and brought her to Shigure."
Klarise held in a smile seeing the shock on Hiei's face by just the very mention of that name.
"He was the one who implanted Myra's hands at Lya's request. She didn't have to give him a story, oh no, he would help her, respond to Lya's whim of saving a human and later trained Myra in using her new hands. Time later, Lya retreated to Shigure, on the brink of death herself, seeking help. That memory you latched onto with your greedy soul was from two years ago."
Klarise paused feeling the winds settling down.
"Myra couldn't help" she trailed on speaking lower than before causing Hiei to lean forward to hear her better "There was nothing she could do, however in her naivety she gave Lya a present, a simple mundane music device. By placing the loud music over Lya's ears she could stop listening to the worlds. Because the winds told her one thing, he was no longer alive."
Hiei's face kept the same cold expression however his hands curled into fists.
"He? Who is he?"
"When we found Myra," Klarise trailed on ignoring his previous question "she wanted us to save Lya as well and we did." Klarise stopped looking off into the distance "Taking that music device was a bad idea. That demon has a pack of wolfs living in her soul. We had her contained, chained for most of the first year, beaten into submission since she would lash out like a savage animal. Then I suggested the technique, but it drains the user. The device and headphones latch onto your energy, but that's not the worse part. Your brain never sleeps and eventually you go mad. I have a time frame to hold onto my end of the deal. If not Lya will be put down at the first exhibited sign. So yes, I did promise to bring back the one she lost."
"You're a disgusting creature and a liar."
Hiei lashed out at her, voice elevated. Klarise just tilted her head to the side.
"Oh?!"
"You want her dead, you won't bring him back, whoever the Hell he is. They were someone Spirit World feared. I could tell by the way she battles. I've seen it, inside that broken woman there is a fire burning. A savage creature you tremble before and that's the woman I want to bring out."
Klarise looked at him and just smiled.
"Look at you finding new purpose. But I must warn you, what you are is not even an ounce of that demon. I am not a big fan of your kind, but by all that exists, he…mmmmm"
Wide crimson orbs stared back at the ruler.
"I am glad you want to help Lya, but you can't. You don't have the ability to get close."
"Fuck you."
The air resonated with Klarise's laughter.
"I'll enjoy seeing you fail."
Hiei got up reaching for his sword, stopping when his hand wrapped on the tilt. Turning he ran to the direction of the church, feeling the energy inside taking a different shape. He pushed past the massive doors to find the inside of the building empty.
"Where is she?"
Behind him Klarise was no longer, only the faint echo of her spiteful laughter.
