Now in a stupor that constantly consumed my energy, I couldn't hear
anything, like I'd been cut off from my surroundings. My scarce breathing
was unheard in my ears. I wouldn't know if Kuwabara was shouting, or if
Hiei was fighting Kumo, or even if Yusuke arrived. Ryo pulled back her
hand, and stepped backwards slowly, still maintaining the link, or whatever
she was doing to me. All I could see was her face, and a little of the
forest behind her; it was a distorted blur. Without warning, I felt an
intrusive and threatening presence in my head. With all my might, I tried
to force it out, or at least to identify it. But my mental reserves were
extremely weak right now, and I knew what was coming.
I tried to make a sound, and I felt it in my throat, but still didn't hear. Trying to remember the last time I blinked, Ryo smiled at me. I faintly felt my mouth turn up in a returned smile. That wasn't my doing. Something flashed over Ryo's image, and I didn't see her anymore. The trees were moving very fast, and I started to distinguish familiar terrain, some tundra and steep ledges here and there yards away. The forest broke up, and my sight was still ahead of me. I must be running. But I didn't feel my legs moving, or my sides explode into pain from the strain. A piercing screech sounded in my ears, sending me into shock at my sudden regain of hearing. Eyes still open, I mentally blinked and Ryo was no longer standing in front of me. In fact, she and Kumo weren't there, according to my senses. My body demanded the closeness of the ground, but somehow I remained standing, head hanging. Upon seeing my true location, it finally sparked in my head that I must've been looking from someone else's eyes; how could that be? As I thought slowly, my outer body seemed turned off. Merely there, eyes half closed as I weakly tried to specify the images I was seeing. I didn't blink or gaze around, or even move my fingers. I was surprised that I was just standing, staring into nothing, and yet, brief flashes of a giant crater were plastered transparently across my mind's eye.
Suddenly I blinked as my heart skipped two beats at the sight of Hiei's crimson eyes and Jagan peering up at me. His face was in a helpless frown, and it looked like he had been concentrating hard. He must've been right in front of me, but for how long I don't know. Something that I had been lacking, something I was supposed to have spiritually in normal circumstances, returned to me. I felt.whole again. Like I'd been jerked from a shaky second conscience, my mind was in its rightful spot. The full registration of Hiei staring so close to me hit me violently and I gasped. My breathing sped up to normal as I told myself that it was only Hiei. I raised my head to see Kuwabara, Yukina, and Yusuke looking at me on either sides of him, but not so near. Yusuke. He'd come; how long had he been there?
"Kurama," Hiei said, still staring into my eyes, "Can you hear me?"
That scratchy sharp shriek filled my ears once more, and I shut my eyes tight, grimacing. It was ongoing, then it stopped. I opened my eyes slowly. My reaction must have justified his question.
"Good. You're back.." He said quietly, closing his Jagan and wrapping it up.
"The crater," I muttered without my brain's consent, "They're approaching the crater.."
Yusuke frowned and asked me, "Crater? Where, Kurama? Wh-where is the crater?"
I was seeing inside the unnatural crater miles away from here, created by unknown sources. I was looking right at Kumo, who grinned at me with no hint of worry. That's when I realized I must have been viewing the scene through Ryo; my guess is that she was attempting to fully possess me and was interrupted by something. Or was I Ryo? No matter. So, not only Kumo can control minds, but Ryo also? Or could this possibly be a premonition? I didn't get to figure out because I was brought back to where I was.
"Not far from here. Yusuke?" I asked, my voice monotone.
"I know what he's talking about," Yukina spoke up, sounding relieved and a little perky which was, frankly, strange to me right now, "We should head off, several miles east of here. There we'll find our foes."
Kuwabara suddenly burst out in startled noises, "Which way's east? Kurama, are you ok? What happened?! And that guy, Kumo, he disappeared again. Geez!"
"Um, Kumo brought me somewhere, but he did little more than spook me with his uh, he thought it'd be funny to take hold of my mind. Was he trying to prove some sort of point?" Yusuke asked earnestly, then frowning at the memory.
I raised my eyebrows. "I can't see what he'd want with you."
For a good minute, all we did was wait around. For what, I don't think any of us knew. As for at least one part of me, I didn't mind our loitering around. I was edgy about someone or something creeping up on me mentally. Preferably Ryo, or even Kumo. I awaited my next instant of whatever it was, so I would know more specifically where we should be heading. I certainly wasn't prepared for ambush of telepathic images. Nope, that was a new one in my book. Just as I was going to start walking, Kuwabara called forth his rei ken, and it disturbed my thoughts alongside arousing my curiosity.
"Kuwabara! What are you doing? Do you see something?" Yusuke hollered over at him.
Hiei spun around on his heel to face Kuwabara, "Let me guess-he's in your mind?"
Kuwabara pouted and muttered, " N-no, I have no idea why I just did that."
Yukina peered around, and then back at Kuwabara. I wonder if that was all she was going to do.
The beam of energy ceased to stream from his hand, and I saw him shrug as he shuffled along behind Yusuke. A brief transparency of Kumo's face flashed across my sub-conscience. I glared at the open air, but still directing it towards him even if he really wasn't here. ~Well, hello again. Can you see me?~
I narrowed my eyes. "What if I can? Why do you-?"
"Huh?" Yusuke and Kuwabara asked at the same time.
I had been somehow cut off. Either Kumo did it, or maybe I just halted my speech in surprise to his familiar voice in my head. I sighed deeply, and heavily, for I was not in any state for this right now. But, unlike previous experiences, my mind was at my own will. I felt no lingering, unwelcome presence. Possibly trying to mentally retaliate, I decided to retort telepathically. ~What do you want? Do what you planned to do and stop wasting time. Just face me!~ Forcing all my energy, I hope he got my "message". It seemed that I have been remotely disconnected from all perceptive views outside of my own body. My eyes no longer stared at a gangly, dead-green colored willow, but at darkness. I suddenly realized that I was clenching my fists very tightly, fingernails cutting into my palms. It was all hazy though, and I was about to scream out another retort. ~Come to the crater. These weak ones are slowing you down! Just leave them and come to the crater.~
My eyelids fluttered open. They had been closed? I frowned and looked around for Yusuke and the others. But, to my dismay, only Yukina was in her same spot on the hard earth. Everyone else was nowhere near.I couldn't even sense them.
My worried glance met Yukina's. My voice came out harsher than intended. "Where did they go?"
"I haven't the slightest idea." She replied meekly.
~Oops.did I do that? Now, nothing is distracting you! Don't waste your time hollering back at me, Youko. I find no other reason to harm your buddies. Will you get here already? If you don't, I'll make you!! ~ Damn him. What about Yukina? I had the feeling that she wasn't telling me the absolute truth.
"Yukina, are you telling me that you didn't see where they went? I was busy at the moment, Kumo decided to have a little chat in my head. Didn't you see?" I asked, feeding her an intense stare.
"Go to the crater. Fight Kumo. I will get Yusuke and everyone else." Yukina stated fairly loud, her face looking very hard. Not like her at all.
After hesitating, I sprinted off in the direction of that crater, not looking back. Just focus on getting to Kumo. Even if Yukina's words slightly intimidated me. How is she so confident and yet she didn't even see where they went? Something is wrong there. Someone is still deceiving me. I ejected any further thoughts of the sort from my mind as I leaped off a small cliff at the edge of the forest, still running faster than I had in a long while.
Ahead of me was mostly barren tundra, with a few clumps of foliage here and there. As I neared a sloping stretch of crumbly ground, I paid even closer attention to the horizon. I could see the land ahead, but it suddenly sank down in a circular shape: the crater. I forced my senses to detect anyone nearby. A quick flash of a flourishing, confident power blinked at my attention. Two of them.
I stopped at the very edge of the massive crater, and strange as it was, I was not panting or in pain from straining my wounds. Glaring down, I was surprised to see a wide, bushy tree. How did that grow there? I shook off my silent question. But it persisted to float around my mind. That crater is recent; it was made at most three days ago, by the looks of it.
Growing impatient standing there, I leapt down at the center of the crater and peered up the tree. It didn't startle me that Kumo was there, slumped against a large branch, seemingly at leisure. His black hair was spread all over the branch, and hanging off the sides. Eyes closed, he ignored my presence. But I knew he knew I was there. ~Ah, you came. Now we can really resolve this like real youkai. Isn't that the only way to do it?~ Kumo's voice projected in my head at once, which I was expecting all around. Even though he was right there. Opening my mouth to speak, I said nothing and thought better of how to make sure my message was heard clearly. ~Resolve what? What is the point of throwing the worlds off balance? You couldn't do it by yourself, or even with Ryo. You are sure to be eliminated!! Tell me what there is to resolve, Kumo. I had my reasons back then. What are yours now?~ I replied telepathically, demanding questions I'd had all along. I watched his face after my reply, and it ceased to be impassive, in the way that he didn't feel like answering. His icy green eyes opened slowly, looking down at me. I didn't like looking up at him. I hated it, and he knew it, being intimidating as if I should know what it feels like. He really can't let go. Not being able to hold in a sigh, I let out a gruff gasp of air.
"Are you still so upset over what happened? If you're so strong, composed, then why does this bother you so? I'd really like to know that." I added on vocally, making eye contact.
He held the gaze. "Figures that you wouldn't know. I was one of Yomi's most trusted allies. That's partly how I got in your group so easily. He made sure to tell you everything about me that would be of aid to your gang, and that I was highly.recommended. Remember? You took in the bait. Things wouldn't have been so hard for you if you hadn't committed sabotage on Yomi! I was now sure to plan, with Ryo's help, the downfall of your position as leader."
Well, that's a given. "Anything that I wouldn't have thought of already?" I asked in an irritable tone.
I'd actually allowed that possibility to cross my mind. It was predictable. Kumo and Yomi really did talk a lot, many dark conversations were had that they didn't want me to know about. Now that I think about it, I wonder why I didn't get rid of both at once. Why did I just dismiss the problem threatening me? Perhaps its because I was so cocky, so bold back then. I was the leader and everyone knew it. Suddenly I wondered where the owner of that fierce youki was. Where was Ryo?
"I was outraged! You killed Yomi, my partner from childhood! We were going to accomplish our dream together! You're the one to blame for this." Kumo answered, bitter rage, the only emotion I'd seen in those eyes in a long time.
I gave him a sharp look. "Is that it? Is that the sole reason for your havoc? Well, I've got news for you, Kumo. Yomi is alive! I've just seen him a couple of years ago, and we even had a calm conversation. You're a fool. How long have you been living here, no, hiding here, and not even knowing the strongest being in this world?!"
Kumo slid off the branch to land nimbly on his feet at the base of the tree, just steps away from me. His eyes were wide, ever so slightly, and his expression was less than sure. No summoning Ryo this time. He was alone, and I couldn't sense Ryo at all. He looked simply dumbstruck. This couldn't be all he was after. He was smarter than that.
Kumo sneered, and that strange look left his eyes. He smirked. "So, he's alive. Well, he can't be much now. I can't imagine him being that powerful. After all, rays emitted by that weird demon you set on him did blind him. Although I never figured Yomi to still be alive."
"How did you know that?" I asked, enraged. He just told me something different from before. No one witnessed that, no one. I'm positive. How could he have known exactly what had happened to Yomi?
Claws suddenly extended from a hand that had appeared right in front of my face. They gleamed in the dull light. Ryo? Damn, I wasn't even paying attention to anything else but Kumo! She flexed her fingers back and forth, millimeters from my face. These nails must have been two inches long; this was definitely an attribute of a feline. What exactly was her deal anyway? I took a deep breath and followed her claws, up her arm to her face. Eyes narrowed, she stared at me with animosity. ~Are you really with Kumo on this? This isn't what you desire, is it?~ I asked her telepathically, hoping that it worked for her also. Ryo apparently hadn't heard, or so much as I could judge from her face. She lunged at me, with both hands, full of claws. I dodged, still trying to keep Kumo in my line of sight. I jumped off the side of the tree, but not calling any of my plants. The reserved energy that called for was not in my possession. I just continued to twist and leap out of her reach. I had no idea as to the reasons for her hostility towards me.***
She kept staring implacably in my direction, and then it occurred to me that maybe Ryo was under more than orders, possibly control? In my confusion, she managed to maneuver around my defense, slashing one hand across my face, claws digging into my cheek, which already had the gash from earlier. Immediate pain seared through my face, all the way down to my chin, and I could feel the three lacerations make themselves known. I stumbled backward, nearly losing my balance. I winced as blood threatened to trickle down my face at any slight movement. I didn't know how much longer I was going to hold on to consciousness. Her image was slurred, my body threatening to black out at any moment. I took another step backward, and steadied my vision.
Resisting the urge to wipe my face with my sleeve, I slowly shifted my eyes to Kumo, who had remained in his same place. He hadn't interfered, but why? His calm expression changed to one that almost portrayed guilt. Then, he looked at me with fresh anger, but I got the feeling that it wasn't towards me. How could that be?
Ryo looked at her bloodied claws and started carefully licking them clean. She too didn't look the same, especially when she muttered, "I can't believe we are doing this."
"Doing what?" I grumbled in pain.
Her catlike eyes met mine, and then she said to Kumo, "What's further, I don't know why I let you talk me into this. I never realized how foolish you were and are now, Kumo. Exactly what are you pursuing? I am fed up with your vengeance. I am done"
That last statement left me dumbstruck. She had led me to believe that she was loyal in every aspect to Kumo. If this is truly the path she chose to take from the start, Ryo didn't act like it. Ryo suddenly frowned in hard concentration as if warding off an invisible force.
"Stop that. You cannot take control of me you fool. Kumo, don't you think the game has gone on long enough? Why don't you tell Kurama your real reasons? That would indeed be the most intelligent thing you've done yet." Ryo snorted with annoyance.
"I will do things my way, Ryo," Kumo responded, glaring at her, "Kurama, I can't tell you why. I promise to later, and I know you will understand. But this is not the time. I bid you goodbye for now."
With that, he blinked into nonexistence. However, Ryo remained. After that impacting half-explanation, I had no idea what to think of them now. Try to kill me, and then relay reason later? My head whirled. Ryo retracted her claws and stepped up to me. She was roughly my height. Before I could say anything, she closed the remaining space between us with a soft, brief kiss, and disappeared into thin air. It seemed almost like an apology. I just blinked my eyes, which I found to be wide in shock. Blinking again, I racked my brain to see if that was real or an illusion. I truly had my mind set on the fact that she despised me. After all, she did just try to kill me.
I flinched as the wind picked up to blow against the open cut on my cheek. I felt very empty just then. I had no idea where my friends were, and my enemies fled without a reason or answer as to why they didn't kill me, why they abandoned me. Emotions had shifted dramatically for Ryo, evidently. I felt broken up and confused as to what I was supposed to do now. My energy was drained, and I was even more exhausted due to lack of sleep needed for my wounds to heal. I was fatigued enough that I could hear and feel my pulse thudding painfully in my ears. My sides ached and my body left me with no choice but to rest under the shelter of the monstrous tree. I plopped down on the hard black dirt before my legs gave way and my mind shut down for a long-awaited sleep.
***
I tried to make a sound, and I felt it in my throat, but still didn't hear. Trying to remember the last time I blinked, Ryo smiled at me. I faintly felt my mouth turn up in a returned smile. That wasn't my doing. Something flashed over Ryo's image, and I didn't see her anymore. The trees were moving very fast, and I started to distinguish familiar terrain, some tundra and steep ledges here and there yards away. The forest broke up, and my sight was still ahead of me. I must be running. But I didn't feel my legs moving, or my sides explode into pain from the strain. A piercing screech sounded in my ears, sending me into shock at my sudden regain of hearing. Eyes still open, I mentally blinked and Ryo was no longer standing in front of me. In fact, she and Kumo weren't there, according to my senses. My body demanded the closeness of the ground, but somehow I remained standing, head hanging. Upon seeing my true location, it finally sparked in my head that I must've been looking from someone else's eyes; how could that be? As I thought slowly, my outer body seemed turned off. Merely there, eyes half closed as I weakly tried to specify the images I was seeing. I didn't blink or gaze around, or even move my fingers. I was surprised that I was just standing, staring into nothing, and yet, brief flashes of a giant crater were plastered transparently across my mind's eye.
Suddenly I blinked as my heart skipped two beats at the sight of Hiei's crimson eyes and Jagan peering up at me. His face was in a helpless frown, and it looked like he had been concentrating hard. He must've been right in front of me, but for how long I don't know. Something that I had been lacking, something I was supposed to have spiritually in normal circumstances, returned to me. I felt.whole again. Like I'd been jerked from a shaky second conscience, my mind was in its rightful spot. The full registration of Hiei staring so close to me hit me violently and I gasped. My breathing sped up to normal as I told myself that it was only Hiei. I raised my head to see Kuwabara, Yukina, and Yusuke looking at me on either sides of him, but not so near. Yusuke. He'd come; how long had he been there?
"Kurama," Hiei said, still staring into my eyes, "Can you hear me?"
That scratchy sharp shriek filled my ears once more, and I shut my eyes tight, grimacing. It was ongoing, then it stopped. I opened my eyes slowly. My reaction must have justified his question.
"Good. You're back.." He said quietly, closing his Jagan and wrapping it up.
"The crater," I muttered without my brain's consent, "They're approaching the crater.."
Yusuke frowned and asked me, "Crater? Where, Kurama? Wh-where is the crater?"
I was seeing inside the unnatural crater miles away from here, created by unknown sources. I was looking right at Kumo, who grinned at me with no hint of worry. That's when I realized I must have been viewing the scene through Ryo; my guess is that she was attempting to fully possess me and was interrupted by something. Or was I Ryo? No matter. So, not only Kumo can control minds, but Ryo also? Or could this possibly be a premonition? I didn't get to figure out because I was brought back to where I was.
"Not far from here. Yusuke?" I asked, my voice monotone.
"I know what he's talking about," Yukina spoke up, sounding relieved and a little perky which was, frankly, strange to me right now, "We should head off, several miles east of here. There we'll find our foes."
Kuwabara suddenly burst out in startled noises, "Which way's east? Kurama, are you ok? What happened?! And that guy, Kumo, he disappeared again. Geez!"
"Um, Kumo brought me somewhere, but he did little more than spook me with his uh, he thought it'd be funny to take hold of my mind. Was he trying to prove some sort of point?" Yusuke asked earnestly, then frowning at the memory.
I raised my eyebrows. "I can't see what he'd want with you."
For a good minute, all we did was wait around. For what, I don't think any of us knew. As for at least one part of me, I didn't mind our loitering around. I was edgy about someone or something creeping up on me mentally. Preferably Ryo, or even Kumo. I awaited my next instant of whatever it was, so I would know more specifically where we should be heading. I certainly wasn't prepared for ambush of telepathic images. Nope, that was a new one in my book. Just as I was going to start walking, Kuwabara called forth his rei ken, and it disturbed my thoughts alongside arousing my curiosity.
"Kuwabara! What are you doing? Do you see something?" Yusuke hollered over at him.
Hiei spun around on his heel to face Kuwabara, "Let me guess-he's in your mind?"
Kuwabara pouted and muttered, " N-no, I have no idea why I just did that."
Yukina peered around, and then back at Kuwabara. I wonder if that was all she was going to do.
The beam of energy ceased to stream from his hand, and I saw him shrug as he shuffled along behind Yusuke. A brief transparency of Kumo's face flashed across my sub-conscience. I glared at the open air, but still directing it towards him even if he really wasn't here. ~Well, hello again. Can you see me?~
I narrowed my eyes. "What if I can? Why do you-?"
"Huh?" Yusuke and Kuwabara asked at the same time.
I had been somehow cut off. Either Kumo did it, or maybe I just halted my speech in surprise to his familiar voice in my head. I sighed deeply, and heavily, for I was not in any state for this right now. But, unlike previous experiences, my mind was at my own will. I felt no lingering, unwelcome presence. Possibly trying to mentally retaliate, I decided to retort telepathically. ~What do you want? Do what you planned to do and stop wasting time. Just face me!~ Forcing all my energy, I hope he got my "message". It seemed that I have been remotely disconnected from all perceptive views outside of my own body. My eyes no longer stared at a gangly, dead-green colored willow, but at darkness. I suddenly realized that I was clenching my fists very tightly, fingernails cutting into my palms. It was all hazy though, and I was about to scream out another retort. ~Come to the crater. These weak ones are slowing you down! Just leave them and come to the crater.~
My eyelids fluttered open. They had been closed? I frowned and looked around for Yusuke and the others. But, to my dismay, only Yukina was in her same spot on the hard earth. Everyone else was nowhere near.I couldn't even sense them.
My worried glance met Yukina's. My voice came out harsher than intended. "Where did they go?"
"I haven't the slightest idea." She replied meekly.
~Oops.did I do that? Now, nothing is distracting you! Don't waste your time hollering back at me, Youko. I find no other reason to harm your buddies. Will you get here already? If you don't, I'll make you!! ~ Damn him. What about Yukina? I had the feeling that she wasn't telling me the absolute truth.
"Yukina, are you telling me that you didn't see where they went? I was busy at the moment, Kumo decided to have a little chat in my head. Didn't you see?" I asked, feeding her an intense stare.
"Go to the crater. Fight Kumo. I will get Yusuke and everyone else." Yukina stated fairly loud, her face looking very hard. Not like her at all.
After hesitating, I sprinted off in the direction of that crater, not looking back. Just focus on getting to Kumo. Even if Yukina's words slightly intimidated me. How is she so confident and yet she didn't even see where they went? Something is wrong there. Someone is still deceiving me. I ejected any further thoughts of the sort from my mind as I leaped off a small cliff at the edge of the forest, still running faster than I had in a long while.
Ahead of me was mostly barren tundra, with a few clumps of foliage here and there. As I neared a sloping stretch of crumbly ground, I paid even closer attention to the horizon. I could see the land ahead, but it suddenly sank down in a circular shape: the crater. I forced my senses to detect anyone nearby. A quick flash of a flourishing, confident power blinked at my attention. Two of them.
I stopped at the very edge of the massive crater, and strange as it was, I was not panting or in pain from straining my wounds. Glaring down, I was surprised to see a wide, bushy tree. How did that grow there? I shook off my silent question. But it persisted to float around my mind. That crater is recent; it was made at most three days ago, by the looks of it.
Growing impatient standing there, I leapt down at the center of the crater and peered up the tree. It didn't startle me that Kumo was there, slumped against a large branch, seemingly at leisure. His black hair was spread all over the branch, and hanging off the sides. Eyes closed, he ignored my presence. But I knew he knew I was there. ~Ah, you came. Now we can really resolve this like real youkai. Isn't that the only way to do it?~ Kumo's voice projected in my head at once, which I was expecting all around. Even though he was right there. Opening my mouth to speak, I said nothing and thought better of how to make sure my message was heard clearly. ~Resolve what? What is the point of throwing the worlds off balance? You couldn't do it by yourself, or even with Ryo. You are sure to be eliminated!! Tell me what there is to resolve, Kumo. I had my reasons back then. What are yours now?~ I replied telepathically, demanding questions I'd had all along. I watched his face after my reply, and it ceased to be impassive, in the way that he didn't feel like answering. His icy green eyes opened slowly, looking down at me. I didn't like looking up at him. I hated it, and he knew it, being intimidating as if I should know what it feels like. He really can't let go. Not being able to hold in a sigh, I let out a gruff gasp of air.
"Are you still so upset over what happened? If you're so strong, composed, then why does this bother you so? I'd really like to know that." I added on vocally, making eye contact.
He held the gaze. "Figures that you wouldn't know. I was one of Yomi's most trusted allies. That's partly how I got in your group so easily. He made sure to tell you everything about me that would be of aid to your gang, and that I was highly.recommended. Remember? You took in the bait. Things wouldn't have been so hard for you if you hadn't committed sabotage on Yomi! I was now sure to plan, with Ryo's help, the downfall of your position as leader."
Well, that's a given. "Anything that I wouldn't have thought of already?" I asked in an irritable tone.
I'd actually allowed that possibility to cross my mind. It was predictable. Kumo and Yomi really did talk a lot, many dark conversations were had that they didn't want me to know about. Now that I think about it, I wonder why I didn't get rid of both at once. Why did I just dismiss the problem threatening me? Perhaps its because I was so cocky, so bold back then. I was the leader and everyone knew it. Suddenly I wondered where the owner of that fierce youki was. Where was Ryo?
"I was outraged! You killed Yomi, my partner from childhood! We were going to accomplish our dream together! You're the one to blame for this." Kumo answered, bitter rage, the only emotion I'd seen in those eyes in a long time.
I gave him a sharp look. "Is that it? Is that the sole reason for your havoc? Well, I've got news for you, Kumo. Yomi is alive! I've just seen him a couple of years ago, and we even had a calm conversation. You're a fool. How long have you been living here, no, hiding here, and not even knowing the strongest being in this world?!"
Kumo slid off the branch to land nimbly on his feet at the base of the tree, just steps away from me. His eyes were wide, ever so slightly, and his expression was less than sure. No summoning Ryo this time. He was alone, and I couldn't sense Ryo at all. He looked simply dumbstruck. This couldn't be all he was after. He was smarter than that.
Kumo sneered, and that strange look left his eyes. He smirked. "So, he's alive. Well, he can't be much now. I can't imagine him being that powerful. After all, rays emitted by that weird demon you set on him did blind him. Although I never figured Yomi to still be alive."
"How did you know that?" I asked, enraged. He just told me something different from before. No one witnessed that, no one. I'm positive. How could he have known exactly what had happened to Yomi?
Claws suddenly extended from a hand that had appeared right in front of my face. They gleamed in the dull light. Ryo? Damn, I wasn't even paying attention to anything else but Kumo! She flexed her fingers back and forth, millimeters from my face. These nails must have been two inches long; this was definitely an attribute of a feline. What exactly was her deal anyway? I took a deep breath and followed her claws, up her arm to her face. Eyes narrowed, she stared at me with animosity. ~Are you really with Kumo on this? This isn't what you desire, is it?~ I asked her telepathically, hoping that it worked for her also. Ryo apparently hadn't heard, or so much as I could judge from her face. She lunged at me, with both hands, full of claws. I dodged, still trying to keep Kumo in my line of sight. I jumped off the side of the tree, but not calling any of my plants. The reserved energy that called for was not in my possession. I just continued to twist and leap out of her reach. I had no idea as to the reasons for her hostility towards me.***
She kept staring implacably in my direction, and then it occurred to me that maybe Ryo was under more than orders, possibly control? In my confusion, she managed to maneuver around my defense, slashing one hand across my face, claws digging into my cheek, which already had the gash from earlier. Immediate pain seared through my face, all the way down to my chin, and I could feel the three lacerations make themselves known. I stumbled backward, nearly losing my balance. I winced as blood threatened to trickle down my face at any slight movement. I didn't know how much longer I was going to hold on to consciousness. Her image was slurred, my body threatening to black out at any moment. I took another step backward, and steadied my vision.
Resisting the urge to wipe my face with my sleeve, I slowly shifted my eyes to Kumo, who had remained in his same place. He hadn't interfered, but why? His calm expression changed to one that almost portrayed guilt. Then, he looked at me with fresh anger, but I got the feeling that it wasn't towards me. How could that be?
Ryo looked at her bloodied claws and started carefully licking them clean. She too didn't look the same, especially when she muttered, "I can't believe we are doing this."
"Doing what?" I grumbled in pain.
Her catlike eyes met mine, and then she said to Kumo, "What's further, I don't know why I let you talk me into this. I never realized how foolish you were and are now, Kumo. Exactly what are you pursuing? I am fed up with your vengeance. I am done"
That last statement left me dumbstruck. She had led me to believe that she was loyal in every aspect to Kumo. If this is truly the path she chose to take from the start, Ryo didn't act like it. Ryo suddenly frowned in hard concentration as if warding off an invisible force.
"Stop that. You cannot take control of me you fool. Kumo, don't you think the game has gone on long enough? Why don't you tell Kurama your real reasons? That would indeed be the most intelligent thing you've done yet." Ryo snorted with annoyance.
"I will do things my way, Ryo," Kumo responded, glaring at her, "Kurama, I can't tell you why. I promise to later, and I know you will understand. But this is not the time. I bid you goodbye for now."
With that, he blinked into nonexistence. However, Ryo remained. After that impacting half-explanation, I had no idea what to think of them now. Try to kill me, and then relay reason later? My head whirled. Ryo retracted her claws and stepped up to me. She was roughly my height. Before I could say anything, she closed the remaining space between us with a soft, brief kiss, and disappeared into thin air. It seemed almost like an apology. I just blinked my eyes, which I found to be wide in shock. Blinking again, I racked my brain to see if that was real or an illusion. I truly had my mind set on the fact that she despised me. After all, she did just try to kill me.
I flinched as the wind picked up to blow against the open cut on my cheek. I felt very empty just then. I had no idea where my friends were, and my enemies fled without a reason or answer as to why they didn't kill me, why they abandoned me. Emotions had shifted dramatically for Ryo, evidently. I felt broken up and confused as to what I was supposed to do now. My energy was drained, and I was even more exhausted due to lack of sleep needed for my wounds to heal. I was fatigued enough that I could hear and feel my pulse thudding painfully in my ears. My sides ached and my body left me with no choice but to rest under the shelter of the monstrous tree. I plopped down on the hard black dirt before my legs gave way and my mind shut down for a long-awaited sleep.
***