Athena Zandrite
Notes to reviers: In general: I'm glad you're all enjoying it, that's why I put it up here anyway ^.~ Aishlin, I'm trying not to focus too much on Kurama x Botan because I want it to stay Action/Adventure etc. But you'll see all kinds of the little shoujo bubble inducing things. ^.~ Sapphire, here's Hiei for you :D. Red, hehe I do tend to abuse her. But it's out of love of the character... really! Besides, she can take it. Annonymous, most of the previous chapters were already written, now I'm writing as I go, I have nothing else done yet after this chapter X_x Just finished the end of this chapter this morning. I'll try to hurry though!
Yukina was the first to react, letting out a frightened scream and running forward to hover in front of Botan and Kurama. "Botan-san? What happened, Genkai-shihan?" She keeps her eyes on Botan who remains unconscious, chin resting on Kurama's shoulder and hair falling around both of them.
Genkai looks at Botan for a moment as Ken , Youji and Aya look at her with the same question as Yukina. "Can you feel it?" the woman asks Kurama and Yukina without answering.
Kurama holds her up with one arm around her waist, all to aware of the concentration of power emanating from the area where the symbol had entered Botan's body.
Yukina nods also. "It doesn't really feel like reiki or youki. But it isn't entirely one or the other, is it?"
Youji steps up next to Yukina and puts a hand out. "I'm not sure I know where you guys are going with this, and I obviously can't feel anything…" he trails off frowning in surprise. That's not quite the truth. As Yukina looks up at him from his side she smiles with a knowing look. Youji backs up a little. "It's… " he tries to describe it but already the feeling is seeping into the last two people in temple. Ken closes his eyes and breaths deeply letting the sensation wash over his body. Aya remains emotionless on the outside but the pressing feeling, a slight tingle from head to foot as though electricity is flowing through his body, racing through veins and capillaries at a fevered pace, reaching every inch of his body causes his eyes to widen slightly.
"Like my blood is on fire." Ken says quietly, "but it doesn't hurt." He opens his eyes and flexes his fingers, looking at them and noticing a faint golden glow surrounding his hand for a moment.
Youji, who is closer to Botan and feeling it more intensely turns quickly to Genkai. "What's happening to us? What is this?"
Genkai smiles and pats Botan's back before motioning them all to pay attention. "This will be hard to understand, and I'm not sure exactly what this symbol is, but I can tell you what you're feeling and seeing." She holds a hand out and gathers a blue ball of reiki into it, causing Aya, Youji and Ken to mutter, surprised. Without waiting for them, she begins to speak. "Every living thing has an aura, science describes it as atoms, positively and negatively charged. We call it ki, or spirit. It flows through your body, and gives you energy normally. But some people have learned to control it, some through meditation and self-awareness, others through bodily baptism. In your case, you have had your body opened by an outside source. This thing that is inside Botan has opened up spiritual pores in your body, allowing your spirit to escape. It has also raised your awareness in a fantastic manner, normally when someone is introduced to this in such a style, all their spirit escapes and causes the person to pass out, sometimes even die. But you have already managed to control the flow and have it surround your body. It is like an incubator a membrane protecting you. If you practice a little you will probably be able to use this to attack also." She clenches the ball in her fist and it disappears in golden sparks.
"Genkai-shihan, will Botan be ok?" Kurama asks quietly behind her, jade eyes filled with worry. He brings a hand up to the back of her head, resting it on her hair. Yukina also looks concerned and puts a hand on Botan's cheek.
Genkai nods. "I think she will be fine. Whatever that thing is, it won't hurt her."
Kurama smiles and looks at Yukina over the top of Botan's head. Yukina smiles back looking relieved.
They all turn as they hear heavy footfalls outside the dojo. Then there's a loud voice. "Genkai-shihan? Yukina-chan?" The door slides open and Kuwabara bursts into the room panting heavily. "What's happening? I felt something on my way here from school and I've run the last three miles. If there's a bad guy here, Kazuma Kuwabara will defeat him for you!" He beams at Yukina who smiles back at him quietly.
Then Kuwabara notices Kurama has a passed out and obviously wounded girl in his arms. "Kurama who's… BOTAN?! What happened to her?!" He rushes forward and looks down at Botan in open concern.
Kurama sighs quietly and begins explaining everything to him calmly. His tale elicits sharp intakes of breath followed by spluttered indignation about the demon's audacity at the appropriate moments from Kuwabara. Kuwabara looks at Botan in awe as Kurama explains the most recent turn of events. "That must be what I felt!" He turns to Yukina. "Is she going to be all right?"
Yukina smiles and nods. "Yes, Genkai-shihan says that nothing bad will come from the symbol. I suppose we should call it an amulet now, shouldn't we?" she remembers the golden object, a personification of the symbol.
Kuwabara takes Yukina's hand looking quite thrilled for an excuse to touch her. "I'm so happy. I wouldn't want you sad."
Yukina laughs, sounding childlike despite her years of experience. "I hope you're more worried about Botan-chan."
Kuwabara grins and rubs his neck turning slightly red. "Yes of course."
Aya snorts and turns away looking out the window. "We don't have time for this."
Kuwabara, luckily doesn't hear him.
Ken turns to Kurama who has set Botan down on the futon in the corner and is kneeling next to it talking to Genkai. "Are we going to face this thing tomorrow?" He asks curiously.
Genkai sighs. "I hope Koenma gets back to us soon about this thing. I'd rather we didn't face it until we have some sort of an idea what this thing's powers ARE. Going in blind is the most foolish way to go."
Kurama looks up suddenly, frowning. Genkai glances at him but says nothing as he stands and excuses himself. Ken takes his place and cocks his head toward Genkai as she starts showing him how to concentrate his energy on a piece of paper. Kurama is walking out the door when he sees a flash of golden light from the corner of his eye and Youji shouts in surprise holding the upper half of his teacup. The paper that Ken threw had easily sliced it in half.
"Hmm… that's the first time I've seen this ability." Genkai says over Youji's loud curses at his soaked shirt. Kurama slides the door shut and walks out into the yard.
"Decided to grace us with your presence?" He speaks aloud but leans against a tree trunk looking at no one.
There is a rustle from the tree above him and in the blink of an eye Hiei is standing in front of him. "…" Hiei glares at him in irritation. "Is Yukina ok?"
Kurama doesn't hide an amused smile. "What makes you ask that?"
"Don't patronize me." His had instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword.
Kurama says nothing for a moment, watching Hiei's hand. The wind rustles through the trees and somewhere a cricket chirps. Finally Hiei drops his hand and turns toward the dojo. "I could only feel whatever it was. What happened?"
Kurama straightens and moves besides him. "I'm not really sure myself, but apparently it was good."
"I assume the girl is ok." He says glancing at Kurama
The red haired boy looks away, turning instead toward the stairs leading toward the base of the mountain. "She's been through a lot."
Hiei watches him, eyes attentive. "Don't forget what you're fighting." His face doesn't change but he is reprimanding Kurama.
The taller boy shoves his hands into his pockets. "Are you giving me advice?"
"You've been distracted."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then you're either stupid or you're blind."
Kurama turns toward Hiei and his eyes flash golden for a moment before he drops his head, bangs masking his face. "Are you going to give us a hand or are you just going to play peeping tom?"
Hiei snarls. "I don't play at anything kitsune."
Kurama shrugs and turns toward the dojo. "If you're not helping us I'm going to go in and help them prepare."
Hiei shakes his head. "I'm coming."
Kurama nods.
Hiei begins walking toward the dojo but stops at the door. He looks at Kurama over his shoulder and says nothing, but there's an apology in his eyes. Kurama smiles slightly back forgiving him.
With a quick movement the door is open. "DUCK!" someone shouts as a paper stiff as a board and sharp as a razor whips past Hiei's face slicing his cheek. Genkai looks up in surprise, but it is nothing compared to the wide-eyed look on Hiei's face. He slowly reaches up to his cheek, pulling his fingers away to look at them. Sure enough the fingers are tinted red. Kurama sweatdrops as Hiei's eyes lock with Ken, the other half of the paper still in his hand and Ken does a visible tremble at the murderous look in Hiei's eyes.
"Ah Hiei, NO!" Kurama jumps forward to grab Hiei's shoulder when he jumps forward drawing his sword preparing to slice Ken up into chow mein. Yukina covers her mouth and gasps at the blade, inches away from Ken's face.
Yuusuke wakes up again, head screaming in pain. He opens his eyes, slowly adjusting to the dim light of the room in which he is held captive. He tries to remember what has woken him, but the answer isn't forthcoming. With a hoarse grunt, he pushes himself into a sitting position discovering too late how much his head will complain at this. He lets loose a string of swear words, clutching his head in agony. He takes a moment before being able to open his eyes again. Finally he takes in his surroundings.
The place looks old, layers of dust coat the bare floor. He can see dust swirling in the air in a small beam of light that filters through the crack between the boards of a window. With a small whiff of the dusty air, Yuusuke smells age, sweat, blood and something else he can't quite put his finger on. The walls are as bare as the floor, stained brown in places where rainwater had begun to congeal, growing mold and mildew. There is one door in the wall opposite Yuusuke's position. The one thing that looks solid in the decaying house. It looks like it is made of some sort of metal, rusted in spots.
There is a rustle of cloth next to him and then he hears Omi coughing. Yuusuke roughly pulls him into a sitting position to get him away from the dusty ground. As he does so, Omi lets out a strangled cry. He is jostled around with Yuusuke's pull, tearing open some old wounds and causing him to feel extremely light headed. He lets out a woozy gasp as he falls toward Yuusuke. The younger boy takes pity on him, knowing he must feel like he'd been hit by a truck since Yuusuke himself felt like shit. And Yuusuke has an abnormal body that can withstand a LOT of crap. Omi pants for a moment in short, gasped breaths, head resting on Yuusuke's shoulder.
Finally catching his breath, Omi places his hand on Yuusuke's chest, bracing himself as he tries to push away. His entire body aches in protest but he sits up of his own accord and looks groggily at Yuusuke.
"Urameshi-san?" His voice cracks even though it comes out as a tiny froggy whisper.
"Yeah it's me." Yuusuke says patiently.
Omi tilts a little but rights himself. "What's going on? I haven't felt this beat up in years…."
Yuusuke watches him for a moment, worried the other will just topple over again. Omi's hair is covered in dust and dried patches of it are clumped together with blood. His cheek has a dark purple bruise and his clothes are torn.
"I believe we've been taken hostage." Yuusuke finally speaks.
Omi at last seems to register Yuusuke's rumpled appearance. The younger boy's hair falls in disarray, some falling in front of his eyes, the hair and clothes are coated in dust with patches of dried blood here and there, the clothes are wrinkled beyond repair. His eyes dialate at the word hostage and he nearly passes out but manages to stay seated. "Hostage…" Pictures flash through his head, voice, feelings.
Your father doesn't care if you live.
He clutches at his chest as waves of pain wash over his body, heart thumping agonizingly in his chest, breathing rapid and panicked.
Should we just kill him? He's a sweet looking thing. Seems like a waste to finish him off quickly.
Omi doubles over tears pricking at his eyes, body rocking back and forth as whimpered cries escape his lips.
"Omi?!" Yuusuke grabs the assassin by the shoulders, trying to get his attention. "Oi! Wake up!!"
Omi shakes his head and looks up at Yuusuke, eyes slowly focusing. "I…. I'm sorry." He slows his beating heart and regroups. "Who has us?"
Yuusuke watches him warily for a moment, finally releasing him. "Dunno. I woke up while they were here but I couldn't see their face." He stands shakily and moves toward the door. "I wouldn't doubt it was a demon though, judging by how fucked up I am." He tries the handle only to find it locked. He simply doesn't have the energy to break throught he wall right now. But perhaps this is part of his captor's plan. Yuusuke returns to Omi's side, sitting down and groaning.
Omi looks at Yuusuke in shock. "You just said demon, right?"
Yuusuke shrugs. "Yeah, bastard sucked my reiki dry."
Omi blinks. "You can't be serious. You're 15, you still believe in monsters?"
Yuusuke raises an eyebrow in amusement. "Dude, I've died, come back to life and personally kicked the asses of a crapload of demons. And yes, some of them are monsters."
Omi looks dumbfounded for a moment, then backs away from Yuusuke in worry.
Yuusuke laughs at Omi's frightened reaction. "Look, you'll understand if we get to meet whoever has us locked in the crappy excuse for a room. Until then, try to conserve energy, you'll need what you can manage to make a break."
Omi stares at Yuusuke for a moment, sitting on his knees, hands splayed on the floor between his legs, body tilted forward and looking incredibly like a curious puppy. He blinks, an amazing image of innocence despite his vocation as a killer.
Yuusuke glances at him and sighs. "Look, you know how Botan disappeared from the roof?"
Omi's brow wrinkles as he searches his memory, finally grasping the day and nodding.
"She's a guide to the spirit world. All she did was take on her spirit form and fly to wherever it is she goes, on her oar." Yuuuske rolls his head loosening the muscles slowly quick snapping sounds emanating as muscles make their way back to where they belong.
Omi looks as though he thinks Yuusuke is a nut case. "Yeah… sure."
Yuusuke looks at him seriously. "Where else could she have gone? She was there on the roof and you were there, standing in front of the door. But when you went to find her, she was gone. It's not like she can jump off buildings that high and survive."
Omi bites his lip. "There's got to be a logical explanation for it." His fingers itch for his computer keyboard.
"There is a logical explanation for it." Yuusuke says in irritation. He thinks for a moment. "If I had any Ki left I'd show you that I'm not lying, but I don't have the energy. Can you just believe me?"
Omi sighs and sits back. "I'll go with your story for now, but you'll have to do better than this at explaining it later."
Yuusuke shrugs. "I doubt I'll have to."
Youji concentrates his energy into his finger, forehead creasing in concentration. As he does this, his finger glows a golden color. He puts the thumb and forefinger of his right hand up to the glowing tip of the other finger. With a deft motion he pulls a string of glowing energy out of his finger, stretching it and then directing it as he throws, wrapping around the base of a tree stump. He clenches his teeth together and yanks his hands back toward himself, eyes widening as his pupils contract with the effort. In a moment, the string contracts and sections of the stump slowly slide off, thumping on top of each other dully, on the ground.
"Not bad." Genkai says beside him. "It only took you five hours to get control of it." She looks pleased.
Youji straightens, his black overcoat flapping in the wind, he gives her a winning smile coupled with a wink. "Beauty is motivation."
Genkai raises an eyebrow at his bold remark, then she turns to Aya. For some reason, the amulet has stimulated her reiki enough to keep her body young. She steps forward, watching Aya stab forward with his sword. He is facing a large boulder, about his height, and almost the same width and depth. The sword slides cleanly into the solid surface, as though melting through butter, to the hilt. He pulls it back out and looks at the opening he has created.
Botan is inside, drinking milk with Yukina and looking slightly worn out. Kuwabara was nice enough to bring her a change of clothes after raiding Shizuru's closet. Her kimono was just too tight against her injured shoulder, so instead she is wearing a white tank top and a pair of jeans with tennis shoes. Her neck is wrapped and her hair is pulled back into it's customary ponytail.
"Are you sure you don't feel any differently, Botan-san?" Yukina asks in worry.
"Mm… a little warm, but otherwise normal. Aside from my neck anyway." She smiles at Yukina. "Thank you for looking after me."
Yukina shakes her head. "Don't mention it, it's the least I can do after everything you guys have done for me." Her hands drop primly into her lap as she turns and glances out the door, seeing Kurama and Hiei observing the humans' progress. "Has any word come about my brother?"
Botan stiffens for a moment, Hiei's voice going through her head. If you tell her you might not live to regret it. Botan shivers with the though of death by combustion. She decides she most decidedly doesn't want to go out as a ball of fire, and clutches her hands in her lap. "I haven't heard anything new, no."
Yukina sighs in disappointment her whole body drooping sadly. Botan feels a nagging guilt but remains quiet. She looks back out the door at Hiei and wonders why he can't tell his sister the truth. Both siblings are suffering and it makes Botan sad to see the dejection in the small koorime every time she hears bad news.
They both glance out the door as Kuwabara's voice rings out in a Star Wars impression. "Remember, a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him." He has his Rei-ken blazing and Ken stands opposite him with a deck of cards. He'd traded in tearing up paper, for already stacked and ready to use projectiles. He seems to be enjoying himself as he injects power into his hands and the cards. He then flicks the cards out toward the taller boy in quick direct shots. Kuwabara in turn, uses his sword to stop them before they can hit him. "Luke Skywalker never looses! Jedi training techniques own you!" He crows.
"Oh yeah?" Ken grins and tosses two cards at once, as Kuwabara scrambles to block them. He tosses another card above the younger boy's head , slicing through a branch of the nearest tree, toppling it down on top of Kuwabara. "I may not be your father, but I can still teach you a thing or two." He puts his hands on his hips and snickers.
Kuwabara rubs his head where the branch had hit, and grins. "Not bad. A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Only use your powers for good." He chuckles with Ken.
Kurama and Hiei join Genkai. "I think they're ready for a confrontation." She says calmly.
Kurama turns to the humans, "You've been through how to protect oneself with ki, I think it's the most we can hope for in our current position. The longer we wait, the more dangerous it becomes for Yuusuke and Omi." He holds his chin as he muses aloud.
Hiei glances back inside when he sees movement in the corner of his eye. Botan is hurriedly fumbling with her compact clasp and Yukina scoots around the table to look over her shoulder as she gets it open.
In a moment, KoEnma's face is on the screen. His eyes are tired and worried. "Botan." He speaks through the pacifier in his mouth with a practiced ease. "I spoke to my father."
Botan doesn't answer, waiting to see what he has to say. KoEnma sighs and begins to speak again. "Apparently my father was the last one to fight with her, well, we think it's a she. Anyway, he said he thought he'd mortally wounded Lillith, apparently it wasn't malignant. She probably hid on the border of Ningenkai and Makai, traveling back and forth to collect souls when she could, and increase her strength. Botan, you have to be careful, Lillith can absorb souls, merging their energy with her own. Because of this, she may gain a little of the abilities of those she's merged with." He glances to the side, talking to someone in a muffled voice before turning back. "Botan, if Yuusuke's been absorbed you guys could be in trouble. Lillith is already stocked up on energy, with Yuusuke's she could be explosive."
Botan nods. "KoEnma-sama, the humans have gained some sort f power." She glances out the door seeing Hiei watching before returning her attention to the screen. "That amulet we asked you about before, it sort of showed up and…" she frowns. "I've got it now, but it's changed everyone. Did Enma-sama say anything about that?"
KoEnma steeples his hands on the desk, propping his chin on the pointer fingers. "He didn't know about that, he said he had heard there was one but no one could find it. What do you mean it's changed everyone?"
She bites her lip. "Genkai's been young for the last six hours straight, all three humans have gained strange ki-like abilities, Kurama, Hiei and Yukina feel stronger."
Yukina speaks up. "The amulet is inside Botan's body and we can't seem to get it out."
KoEnma starts in surprise. "Inside?!"
Yukina nods and Botan sighs. "It sort of activated and I guess I still had traces of Lillith on me from the bite. It entered through my chest and hasn't come out."
The toddler rubs his eyes looking exhausted. "I don't know enough about it. Keep me updated, Botan. Enma's put this on top priority."
"Hai, KoEnma-sama!" Botan says enthusiastically. She closes the compact and lays back on the ground, looking up at Yukina, who looks worried still.
"Are you OK Botan-san?" she asks with concern, hoping Botan isn't going to pass out.
Botan smiles and pats her knee. "Yeah, I'm fine, just a little worried."
Yukina smiles. "They'll be ok."
Botan sits up and hugs Yukina. "Thanks again for being such a great person." She says, letting the surprised demon go.
Yukina blushes and smiles back. "You too Botan-san."
Both girls look up as the others enter the house. Botan stands and takes a breath. "I just got word from KoEnma."
Genkai nods while the others watch Botan. "Enma has fought once with Lillith, he didn't use the amulet, but he did wound her. The important thing to know is that Lillith can absorb souls and because of this she sometimes gains the abilities of the people she has absorbed."
"Didn't you say Yuusuke was really strong?" Youji asks with a frown.
"Let's hope Yuusuke hasn't been absorbed enough to pass on his abilities or we're in trouble." Genkai says.
Kurama and Hiei exchange a glance before Kuwabara's voice cuts in. "You mean we may be fighting a shape-shifting, ki-blasting, rei-gun wielding, S-class demon?!?" His voice reaches a fevered pitch with his dismay, then he catches Yukina watching him with wide, apprehensive eyes. "No worries though! I Kazuma Kuwabara will catch the demon and save Yuusuke!!" He postures for Yukina like a peacock unfurling it's feathers.
Hiei makes a noise of disgust behind him but remains silent.
"We should go soon then." Kurama says, next to Hiei.
The others nod and they become a procession, heading toward the door. Kurama frowns as Botan walks next to him. "Maybe you should stay here, Botan-chan, you're still injured."
Botan returns the frown. "Don't be silly. I have the only thing we know can slow down Lillith. I have to go."
Kurama looks at her in surprise. "That's true… but…" he is quiet as they trudge down the shrine stairs. As they reach the bottom, he reaches out, his hand catching her wrist, causing her to look at him in question. "At least be careful, try to stay back, OK?" His eyes search hers for confirmation, which she finally gives.
"I'll try, Kurama-kun."
Both decide this is the most she can promise as they continue on their way in silence.
Whee! I ripped off their new Nen ability from Hunter X Hunter! Keeping it in the Togashi family! Yay! At least now the Weiß guys won't get slaughtered ^^;; Ahh... I've been reading Hunter fics and now I have such a desire to write a Hisoka X Irumy fic. ::drools a little:: Or anything with Hisoka in it. His character is so much fun! I mean... the potential to just SCREW with all the other characters COMPLETELY! And look good doing it. Ok, I'm in Hunter x Hunter mode again. I must watch some tonight.... OMG this story is NEVER GOING TO END!! ::pouts:: I want to work on other fanfictions X_x Oh well this one's still fun! I just... gotta end it sometime!!