A Demon's Love pt. 5
She flew them to the Gates that led to the Rekai. She folded her wings back underneath her cloak as she and Kurama landed just outside the gate. Cautiously, they walked into find the Rekai office in its usual frenzy. Kurama grabbed her hand as they made their way back to the Makai under Koenma's nose.
The others met back at Kuwabara's house to discuss the night's peculiar events. Several possibilities came up for unknown answers to numerous questions and puzzles with mis-matched pieces.
"What I want to know is what that thing was," said Kuwabara sitting on the floor of his room.
"Could it have been a demon?" asked Yusuke sitting at the desk.
"No," said Hiei as he stared out the window. "Demons don't have wings like hers."
"Well what was it?" asked Kuwabara.
'Could it have been?' thought Hiei. 'Yes, that's the only answer.'
"It was a fairy," said Hiei after pondering the only reasonable conclusion. "That's the only thing I could come up with."
Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at him strangely wondering if they heard right.
"But fairies aren't even real," said Yusuke. "How could that be?"
"Yea it's impossible," added Kuwabara.
"In the Makai it's very possible," said Hiei still looking out the window. "And they're very real."
"Could Kurama have kidnaped her?" asked Yusuke.
"Probably not," answered Kuwabara. "They looked too close for her to be a hostage."
"I'm going to the Makai," said Hiei as he prepared to jump out of the window. "I'll ask Kurama himself."
"Wait for us!" screamed Kuwabara and Yusuke as they ran for the front door.
"Stupid humans," Hiei muttered as he leaped out the window.
Yusuke and Kuwabara looked up to find Hiei jumping from the window. The cool Ningekai air made their breathes into steam as they talked.
"I'm not here to babysit," sneered Hiei glaring at the others. "If you get lost in the Makai don't expect anyone to save you. Understand?"
Kuwabara and Yusuke nodded. The trio trudged into the starlit night and the dark roads on a quest to find their missing answers.
The night sky in the Makai seemed to grow blacker ever second. Few stars were out and many unknown dangers stood before the lovers challenging them to go through the lush jungle and underbrush. The moon shone dully in the black and starless sky barely lighting a path for Kurama and Kizna. They held on to each other tightly not wanting to get lost. Using his sense of smell, Kurama safely lead them back to their tree-house. He felt around in the darkness trying to find the cupboards as Kizna hung her cloak on a nearby chair.
The small room flooded with a dim light from the human lantern Kurama managed to find. Dim and dull, the light was able to bathe the small table and room with enough light for them to get around.
"I'm sorry," said Kizna as she sad down at the table. "I fear I have put us in danger."
Kurama walked to her side and placed a comforting hand on her cheek softly caressing her skin. He kneeled to match her level and looked deep into her eyes.
"Don't say that," he assured her. "I don't care what happens as long as I have you."
She smiled. In the dim light, his eyes never showed her any anger or hate for what had happened.
"Tonight wasn't your fault," he said softly looking into her eyes. "It was my idea that I let you come in the first place."
She inched her head toward his. They locked in a kiss that burned in passion, love, and desire. The kiss ignited a new fire in the both of them taking their vows of love to a new level. Kurama picked her up as she wrapped her legs around him as he walked toward the bedroom and turned off the lantern.
In the darkness of the Makai wilderness, stars came out to watch as vows of love became even stronger in a dark tree. The outlandish symphony of the Makai chittered and chattered throughout the night cheering and congratulating the lovers' vow of true love.
Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei made their way through the dark Makai wilderness not knowing what they would encounter. In the distant sky, the moon crept closer to the horizon as the sun's golden rays peeked out of the ground. The trees and plants were shrouded in shadows as they wandered through the beaten paths through the woods.
"Are we there yet?" asked Yusuke trying to get through the thick leaves.
"I don't know," said Hiei. Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at him in shock.
"What do yo mean you don't know?!" screamed Kuwabara before being quickly silenced by Hiei.
"Scream any louder and you'll attract attention idiot," harshly whispered Hiei holding a hand up to the carrot top's mouth.
"Can't you use your Jagan Eye?" asked Yusuke.
Hiei nodded. Hiei removed his bandana and slowly awoke the sleeping Jagan. The oncoming light from the rising sun blinded the sleepy third eye making Hiei squint. After adjusting to the breaking dawn, the Jagan turned an eerie shade of purple and grew wide. Kuwabara looked in shock and disgust at what he had seen. Conversely, Yusuke looked calm and collected. Hiei concentrated on Kurama's spirit as he pointed to a nearby tree and put the Jagan back to sleep.
The breaking dawn seeped through the leaves as two lovers slept to the waking morning sounds of the Makai. Kurama held Kizna close. His arm wrapped around covering her naked upper body as his head rested lightly on hers. Kizna gripped her lover tightly around his stomach as her head rested in the crook of his neck with her wings folded as she lay on them. Blankets that had slipped off during the night lay just barely covering them from the waist down. They slept in each others' arms. They slept to the waking dawn. They slept to the footsteps that made their way to their room.
They came to the tree and began their search. Large leaves and flowers hid any signs of life from the prying eyes of the Makai creatures. The searched around the wide trunk of the tree looking for a door or ladder, but found none. Then, Kuwabara noticed lush vines on the tree where the others were scarce. Pushing the vines aside, he found a small wooden ladder that lead into the tree. From the ground, he could see the makings of a small room.
"Hey guys," he cried to the others. "I think I found it."
Yusuke and Hiei walked over.
"Good job, I think you did," said Yusuke looking into the tree.
"Yes maybe you're not such an idiot after all," added Hiei. Kuwabara glared at the small fire demon.
"You go first," said Yusuke to Kuwabara.
Kuwabara looked cautiously into the tree. His instincts told him it would be safe for now.
"Is the little human scared?" asked Hiei sarcastically.
"I'm not scared you shrimp," replied Kuwabara.
To prove his courage, Kuwabara leaped into the tree ready to face any dangers that lurked inside. Kuwabara looked around for any sign of life in the small room.
"Hey guys it's all clear!" he yelled down to others.
Hiei and Yusuke made their up the ladder and looked around the small room. They found nothing but a small table for two with a rose bush and makeshift cupboards.
"All you need is three bowls of porridge and one more chair and you have The Three Bears," said Yusuke as he walked around the small room.
"There's no one here," said Kuwabara. Then, he noticed the small door. "Unless...."
He readied his stance to crash the door open. He ran into the door making a loud crashing sound. As the door flew open, Kuwabara got the shock of his life.
The door crashed open waking up Kurama and Kizna. Quickly, they covered themselves with the blankets hoping no one would see. Kuwabara stood in the doorway wide eyed at the sight. Kurama and Kizna turned a bright red.
"Hey Kuwabara!" screamed Yusuke as he walked into the room. "They here or what?!"
Kurama and Kizna turned an even brighter red. Kuwabara only pointed his answer. Yusuke turned.
"Whoa!" he screamed out of shock and surprise.
"Is anyone else here?" asked Kurama embarrassed as he blushed bright red.
Kuwabara and Yusuke didn't respond still shocked by the site. Hiei calmly walked in and turned to face the beet red couple.
"I knew it," said Hiei acting as though nothing had happened.
"Could you all leave?" asked Kurama annoyed by the unexpected guests. "We'll be out in a moment."
Hiei nodded and walked out. Shock and surprise evident in their faces, Yusuke and Kuwabara walked out eyes wide and mouth agape. Kizna and Kurama exchanged glances and let out exasperated sighs.
"Well I always did want to meet your friends," she said trying to comfort him.
He smiled. They walked out of the bedroom fully dressed with blush streaked across their faces. Kuwabara and Yusuke had gotten over most of the shock and began to snicker and giggled as they walked in. Kizna folded her wings and sat down at the table while Kurama took the other chair at the table. The others stood around them as though they expected an immediate answer.
"What do you want to know?" asked Kurama breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"What's she like in bed," muttered Yusuke before receiving a slap in the back of the head from Kuwabara. "Ouch!"
The blushes on their faces turned darker as they concentrated on small invisible spots on the table.
"Watch your language Urameshi," said Kuwabara. "How long have you known each other?"
"About three months," said Kurama still watching the small spot on the table.
Kuwabara smiled.
"What was she doing in the Ningekai?" asked Hiei.
"I took her there, I had to see Yusuke and I asked her to come," Kurama replied. "When we met I promised her I would take her."
"You do know if we decide to tell Koenma you all will be severely punished," said Hiei. They nodded.
"You won't tell will you?" Kurama asked.
Kizna looked to all of them with pleading silver eyes. They wore stoic masks of unreadable emotions as they looked down on her and her love.
"No," said Hiei receiving sighs of relief from the blushing couple.
Kuwabara and Yusuke looked up bewildered by what their demon friend had said.
"So who is your friend Kurama?" asked Yusuke.
"Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei this is Kizna. Kizna this is Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei," said Kurama as his blush began to fade.
Her blush had subsided and looked up and smiled and waved.
"I've always wanted to meet Kurama's friends. It's very nice to meet you," she said. "Are you all human?"
"Those two are," said Hiei with his constant scowl. "I'm not."
"Well it's very nice to meet you," she said kindly.
Light conversation went throughout the morning all curious of the mysterious little fairy Kurama had taken a liking to. Only to find very little words from Hiei but many from Kuwabara and Yusuke. Of course, Kurama and Kizna hid only one detail from their friends. They were in love. They were lucky to find true love at first sight, and they wanted to wait when it came to spreading the news. They weren't exactly sure how Shiori would act if she were to find out her son was a demon, and he fell in love with a fairy.
Conversations lasted until the afternoon, and the others prepared to leave. Kizna had been easily accepted by Kurama's friends and couldn't wait to meet the others. They watched as they trudged through the underbrush and made their way to the gates.
"Well?" asked Kurama standing behind her as he placed his arms around her waist. "What do you think?"
"They're quite nice," she replied. "But they seem to have extremely bad timing."
Kurama chuckled as he laid his head on her shoulder.
"I'm kind of hungry you?" Kizna asked as she heard a low grumble in her stomach. He nodded. "I'll be right back, I'll get us something."
"Do you want me to come?" he asked as he released her waist. She shook her head and walked to the bedroom to get her bow and arrows.
"Don't worry I shouldn't be too long," she said unfolding her wings.
With the rustle of vines and leaves, she flew into the light blue afternoon sky in search of food. He watched her lovingly the whole time.
She landed in a part of the forest where the trees were abundant and plenty of fruits and animals ready to be hunted and picked. She stalked quietly through the forest looking for anything to catch her eye. She spotted a rabbit in a small clearing and promptly shot one of her Rose Arrows killing it instantly. Walking into the clearing, she looked around to spot may blossoming plants as she picked up the rabbit. She noticed one of the plants seemed different. The plant's leaves were a sickly yellow while the others were a healthy green. 'Why not,' she thought. 'No ones looking.' She began to sing a gentle melody to the small plant making it grow with the delicate sounds of her voice.
Unbeknownst to her, a strange set of eyes of bright orange watched her from a distance. The strange demon's mouth changed into a sadistic grin as it watched the fairy sing. 'I've never seen a fairy sing to make a plant grow before,' it thought. 'The Black Diamond Circus will pay me handsomely for this.'
The plant grew and turned into a healthy green like the others. She smiled. Picking up her arrows, her bow, and the rabbit, she started to fly back home. The strange demon in the distance began to follow her while staying out of site. He smiled evilly when he saw her fly into a tree cleverly camouflaged by large flowers and leaves with a small trail of smoke coming from nearby. 'This must be where she lives,' it thought. He began to form a plot in his mind.
She arrived home with a rabbit large enough for the two of them and to find Kurama preparing a pot with plant juices and leftover berries. She could smell the fire he had burning in the fire pit outside.
"Will this be all right?" she asked holding up the rabbit. He nodded.
They skinned the rabbit, washed it with fruit juice, and placed in the pot over the fire to cook. He pulled her close as they watched the rabbit slowly cook and bubble. In the distance through a grove of trees, the demon watched the lovers. 'This makes the plan more complicated,' it thought angrily.
They ate in a comfortable silence in each others arms. The sun was about to set and make the night turn cold. They sat and watched the stars, and they kissed by the fire. They warmed each other with their love. They swept each other in deep kisses making each other sigh and moan in pleasure. Kurama put out the fire, and quickly swept her up into the house and to the bedroom. Mischievous smiles grew on their faces.
Clothes were scattered all over the floor when the morning dawn broke. The two lovers found themselves entangled in each other as they slept. Kizna awoke to the morning light shining in her eyes. She looked up to Kurama's sleeping face and smiled. 'Like a little human,' she thought. 'But yet a beautiful demon.' She tightened her grip around him causing him to stir. Small strands of hair fell into her face as she lay watching him. He awoke to the bright sun and to the love of a small figure that lay entangled in his embrace. His green eyes opened to find her watching him as small strands of light blue hair fell into her silver eyes shining with only love. He reached up a gentle hand and brushed them away revealing a delicate face with many beautiful features. He smiled. She smiled back as he pulled her closer.
He slowly let go of her to get up. As he redressed himself, she lovingly watched.
"Where are you going?" she asked curiously as she sat up.
"I'm going to get you some breakfast," he replied.
"You don't have to," she said. "I'm not that hungry."
"Yes," he gently commanded leaning down to kiss her. "You're rather skinny and you need food."
She smiled. Wrapping herself within the folds of the blanket, she walked to where her clothes lay and put them on. Gently, he kissed her goodbye and climbed out of the tree in search of fruits and berries.
The strange demon watched as Kurama left the tree-house. He gathered other demons he had rounded up throughout the night around him. They crept quietly towards the tree-house slowly climbing up the ladder Kurama had climbed down from.
She heard the soft whispering of leaves and wondered if Kurama had already come back. 'He can't be that quick,' she thought.
"Kurama?" she called uncertainly.
A wave of bad feelings surrounded her. She quickly ran for the bedroom for her arrows and bow. Before she could get there, she was ambushed by a large demon with bizarre orange eyes with a sadistic and menacing grin. The demon pounced on her and threw her to the floor. Many other demons came up into the tree-house with menacing looks on their faces. She scrambled up to try and fly only to be grabbed by the ankles and thrown down to the floor again knocking over the chairs and table in the process. Shakily, she stood with her back to the cupboards as the demons surrounded her.
"What do you want?" she asked silver eyes reflecting nothing but pure fear.
"You," the demon with the orange eyes sneered. "You'll fetch our circus a fine amount of money."
With a quick burst of speed, she jumped hoping to make it past them to fly. One of the demons pulled out a whip and whipped her around her ankles sending her crashing down on the floor once again. The demon was merciless. He readied his whip once more and whipped her harshly across her back. She screamed in pain and terror. Her blood seeped on to the wooden floor and on to her cloak that lay limply on the floor near the crashed furniture. She tried to get up only to be harshly slapped in the face by another demon. She gripped her cheek in pain as small tears ran down her face. The demons edged closer to her, and her screams from their merciless beatings echoed through the Makai.
Kurama went to pick a strange red fruit in the tree only to have slipped from his grasp. He watched as the small fruit crashed onto a rock seeping its dark red juices. A strange vision flashed before his eyes. He studied the crushed fruit carefully. 'Was that?' he asked himself. 'I could've sworn that fruit just bled blood.' A bad feeling grew in his heart. Ignoring the fruit, he ran as fast as he could back to the tree-house. 'Kizna,' he thought.
Kizna lay unconscious bruised and beaten on the floor. The demons bound her wrists and ankles with rope and prepared to carry her away. Through the leaves and in the distance, a black caravans drawn by black demon horses pulled up near the tree. A demon carried her over his back as he climbed down. Following the caravans, many cages connected with odd creatures hung from chains inside with broken spirits and dying hearts. On the very end of the line, a small iron barred cage stood empty waiting for another victim the circus would add to its macabre collection. They opened the cage door and threw her in planning to deal with her later. Galloping, the demon horses ran into the distance. In the house, a small card with a black diamond painted on it lay among the mess on the floor.
He ran as fast as he could with all him might. He scurried up the ladder not caring what he would have to face. Tables turned pots broken, Kurama found the house in shambles. He walked through the small house looking for her.
"Kizna?!" he yelled worriedly as he looked in the bedroom.
He found the bedroom as he and Kizna had left it. He worried. He looked around the kitchen once more and found something sticky on his shoes. He looked down and saw himself standing in a large puddle of blood. Her cloak lay nearby its midnight blue marred by the red ooze. By the smell, he knew it belonged to instantly. He picked up the cloak and bit his lip to stop the tears from coming. Then he saw it. He picked up a small card with a black diamond on it. He knew what it meant. 'The Black Diamond Circus,' he thought grimly. 'Why?! Why did it have to be her?!'
She need his help, and he planned to help her but he couldn't do it alone. He picked up the cloak along with the card and ran to the Gates of Rekai.
Two members of the Rekai Tantei and Kuwabara sat in Koenma's office waiting for any news of demons in the city. Hiei had kept his word and never told Koenma. As Koenma finished the meeting, the office door banged open revealing a panting kitsune holding two items in his hands.
"Kurama?" asked Koenma noticing Kurama's worried and tired face. "What's wrong?"
"Kizna," he gasped.
"Who?" asked Koenma.
The others looked around worriedly.
"Chill, what's happened to Kizna?" asked Yusuke as he led Kurama to a chair.
Kurama held out the card still gasping. Kuwabara and Yusuke looked at it strangely while Hiei and Koenma recognized the emblem in a split second.
"The Black Diamond Circus," said Koenma worried. "What happened Kurama? And who's Kizna?"
"Kizna is Kurama's girlfriend," said Hiei. Koenma nodded.
"They.... took...her," he gasped.
"Who's this Black Diamond Circus?" asked Yusuke.
"It's a illegal circus that entertains the demon underground," said Hiei. "They capture creatures and make them perform against their will. If they don't obey, they're severely beaten."
"That's cruel," said Kuwabara.
"Why did they want her?" asked Yusuke.
"She... sings," said Kurama still struggling to breathe. "They want... her... to sing. Help... me... please."
The others nodded in agreement. They ran for the gates to the Makai and stepped through.
"How do we find her?" asked Yusuke.
Kurama held out her cloak.
"I'll track her. Her scent its all over this," said Kurama. 'Kizna don't worry,' he thought. 'I'm coming.'
Kurama put on her bloodstained cloak and led the others through the wilderness to find the girl he loved. He vowed the ultimate revenge if anything had happened to her.
The caravans stopped in a large clearing near a primitive town. Demons set up tents and began to post signs. Kizna awoke to find herself being chained to the cage where she stayed. Long gold chains hung from the ceiling bounding her wrists. She saw an odd gold key with red swirls lock her chains. She looked and found her feet bound by short gold chains to the floor preventing her from moving. She was bruised and her back stung from the demon's whips. Pure fear and sadness overcame her.
"Don't you even think about escaping," a demon sneered in her face.
She winced at the smell of his breathe. Its breathe reeked of blood and alcohol and made her nauseous. 'Help me,' she thought to no one for she thought no one could here her. She watched the oncoming nightfall in the distance. 'Goodbye Kurama. I'm all on my own.'
It was near nightfall as the Rekai Tantei drew nearer where her smell was coming from. Through the trees they could make out torches and the voices of demons coming to see the strange and gruesome circus. Kurama put up the hood of the cloak and led the others into the crowds.
"Don't attract attention," warned Hiei.
"We won't even though we stick out like sore thumbs," said Yusuke.
Hiei glared instantly quieting Yusuke. They stood among the crowds looking for her cage. Demons wandered around them paying the bizarre stands for food and tickets.
"What do we do now?" whispered Kuwabara.
"Look for her," said Kurama.
"Here's a clue," said Yusuke as he ripped down a poster that hung on a nearby tree.
"The singing fairy," read Hiei. "Watch the first fairy sing to make plants grow. The night's main attraction."
Kizna looked through the crowds in despair. The demons had gathered to watch and gape at her helplessness. Snickers went through the crowd as they laughed at her and the other exhibitions. Her despair turned to hope when she saw it. Small wisps of red hair from under her cloak, black spikes of hair, the fabrics of a green and blue school uniform. She began to cry tears of joy. She had to get their attention somehow. She looked at the chains that bound her feet and wrists. She began to rattle her wrist chains wildly making the clanging echo through her cage. Her spectators began to laugh. Noticing what she had been doing, the demon ringleaders quickly entered her cage.
"What do you think you're doing?" it sneered.
She looked up at him with pleading and crying eyes.
"Please let me go," she implored crying. "I don't want to be here."
"LET YOU GO!" the demon bellowed. "I'LL LET YOU GO!"
It readied its whip and prepared to strike. The whip slapped her back with its sickening crack. She screamed and cried in pain and fear. Tears flowed freely from her eyes in a never-ending river. He readied it and struck her again. She screamed at the top of her lungs. The demons laughed at her plight. They began to throw the rocks and old fruit that lay on the ground. She screamed even louder as she was pelted with the rotten fruit and rocks.
The Rekai Tantei looked up when they heard the rattling of chains and the screams of a creature. They looked to a far cage at the end of the line and found her. They watched as she was whipped mercilessly and pelted with rocks and old fruit. Blood boiled in Kurama's veins as he watched his love being beaten. Kurama pulled out his Rose Whip and began to charge only to be stopped by Hiei.
"Let me go Hiei," Kurama growled as Hiei grasped his arm tightly.
"Don't be stupid," he hissed. "We attack when they all leave. There's too many watching."
"I hate to say it, but I think the shrimp's right," said Kuwabara receiving a scowl from Hiei.
They watched as someone walked to the front to make an announcement.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" bellowed the ringleader. "It's the moment you all have been waiting for! The Singing Fairy!"
The crowd of demons quieted down to watch the caged fairy perform.
"You had better sing good," threatened the demon in her cage. "You'll get more whippings if you don't."
She held her head as high as she could. Tears stained her face as she cried. She took a deep breathe and sung as best as she could.
"And now I'm all alone again, nowhere to turn no one to go to,
without a home, without a friend, without a face to say hello to.
And now the night is near and I can make believe he's here."
Her sadness and despair was evident in her voice as she sung. The crowds looked upon her in disdain and hatred. The trees and flowers around them bloomed into healthy blossoms and trees. The others looked on entranced by her voice. Kurama looked at her longingly wishing he could run to her side and hold her. He watched as she was looked upon in hatred and jealousy. Her song ended on a sad note as the audience looked at her with more hatred than before.
She looked up when she was finished not knowing what to expect. She looked at the demon who held the whip in mercy. He sneered. Around her, she could hear the loud disapproval of the crowds. The demon readied his whip and raised it high.
"You said you could sing," he sneered as the whip came crashing down.
Kizna screamed as the pain stung her back. New waves of tears and sadness came from her soul as the audience laughed at her once more.
The Rekai Tantei looked in anger at what the demons were doing. Fire shown in their eyes ready to protect their friend and loved one.
"How could they?" hissed Kuwabara. "She sung just fine."
"They don't care about the singing," said Hiei. "They just want to see the creatures hurt."
Yusuke and Kurama said nothing. In their eyes, the anger was evident. Yusuke balled his fists tightly as his knuckles turned pure white. Under the cloak, Kurama's nails stung his palms and small bursts of blood flowed from his hands dripping onto the forest floor unknown to the others. His teeth clenched in rage as he saw her whipped again and again.
She couldn't take the pain. She screamed louder every time the whip cracked on her back. With one final scream of anguish, she passed out only held up be her chains. She was oblivious to the beating the demon gave her.
They watched as she hung from her chains not moving. They watched in anger and rage as the demon continued to beat her even though she was completely helpless. Kurama vowed his revenge.
She flew them to the Gates that led to the Rekai. She folded her wings back underneath her cloak as she and Kurama landed just outside the gate. Cautiously, they walked into find the Rekai office in its usual frenzy. Kurama grabbed her hand as they made their way back to the Makai under Koenma's nose.
The others met back at Kuwabara's house to discuss the night's peculiar events. Several possibilities came up for unknown answers to numerous questions and puzzles with mis-matched pieces.
"What I want to know is what that thing was," said Kuwabara sitting on the floor of his room.
"Could it have been a demon?" asked Yusuke sitting at the desk.
"No," said Hiei as he stared out the window. "Demons don't have wings like hers."
"Well what was it?" asked Kuwabara.
'Could it have been?' thought Hiei. 'Yes, that's the only answer.'
"It was a fairy," said Hiei after pondering the only reasonable conclusion. "That's the only thing I could come up with."
Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at him strangely wondering if they heard right.
"But fairies aren't even real," said Yusuke. "How could that be?"
"Yea it's impossible," added Kuwabara.
"In the Makai it's very possible," said Hiei still looking out the window. "And they're very real."
"Could Kurama have kidnaped her?" asked Yusuke.
"Probably not," answered Kuwabara. "They looked too close for her to be a hostage."
"I'm going to the Makai," said Hiei as he prepared to jump out of the window. "I'll ask Kurama himself."
"Wait for us!" screamed Kuwabara and Yusuke as they ran for the front door.
"Stupid humans," Hiei muttered as he leaped out the window.
Yusuke and Kuwabara looked up to find Hiei jumping from the window. The cool Ningekai air made their breathes into steam as they talked.
"I'm not here to babysit," sneered Hiei glaring at the others. "If you get lost in the Makai don't expect anyone to save you. Understand?"
Kuwabara and Yusuke nodded. The trio trudged into the starlit night and the dark roads on a quest to find their missing answers.
The night sky in the Makai seemed to grow blacker ever second. Few stars were out and many unknown dangers stood before the lovers challenging them to go through the lush jungle and underbrush. The moon shone dully in the black and starless sky barely lighting a path for Kurama and Kizna. They held on to each other tightly not wanting to get lost. Using his sense of smell, Kurama safely lead them back to their tree-house. He felt around in the darkness trying to find the cupboards as Kizna hung her cloak on a nearby chair.
The small room flooded with a dim light from the human lantern Kurama managed to find. Dim and dull, the light was able to bathe the small table and room with enough light for them to get around.
"I'm sorry," said Kizna as she sad down at the table. "I fear I have put us in danger."
Kurama walked to her side and placed a comforting hand on her cheek softly caressing her skin. He kneeled to match her level and looked deep into her eyes.
"Don't say that," he assured her. "I don't care what happens as long as I have you."
She smiled. In the dim light, his eyes never showed her any anger or hate for what had happened.
"Tonight wasn't your fault," he said softly looking into her eyes. "It was my idea that I let you come in the first place."
She inched her head toward his. They locked in a kiss that burned in passion, love, and desire. The kiss ignited a new fire in the both of them taking their vows of love to a new level. Kurama picked her up as she wrapped her legs around him as he walked toward the bedroom and turned off the lantern.
In the darkness of the Makai wilderness, stars came out to watch as vows of love became even stronger in a dark tree. The outlandish symphony of the Makai chittered and chattered throughout the night cheering and congratulating the lovers' vow of true love.
Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei made their way through the dark Makai wilderness not knowing what they would encounter. In the distant sky, the moon crept closer to the horizon as the sun's golden rays peeked out of the ground. The trees and plants were shrouded in shadows as they wandered through the beaten paths through the woods.
"Are we there yet?" asked Yusuke trying to get through the thick leaves.
"I don't know," said Hiei. Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at him in shock.
"What do yo mean you don't know?!" screamed Kuwabara before being quickly silenced by Hiei.
"Scream any louder and you'll attract attention idiot," harshly whispered Hiei holding a hand up to the carrot top's mouth.
"Can't you use your Jagan Eye?" asked Yusuke.
Hiei nodded. Hiei removed his bandana and slowly awoke the sleeping Jagan. The oncoming light from the rising sun blinded the sleepy third eye making Hiei squint. After adjusting to the breaking dawn, the Jagan turned an eerie shade of purple and grew wide. Kuwabara looked in shock and disgust at what he had seen. Conversely, Yusuke looked calm and collected. Hiei concentrated on Kurama's spirit as he pointed to a nearby tree and put the Jagan back to sleep.
The breaking dawn seeped through the leaves as two lovers slept to the waking morning sounds of the Makai. Kurama held Kizna close. His arm wrapped around covering her naked upper body as his head rested lightly on hers. Kizna gripped her lover tightly around his stomach as her head rested in the crook of his neck with her wings folded as she lay on them. Blankets that had slipped off during the night lay just barely covering them from the waist down. They slept in each others' arms. They slept to the waking dawn. They slept to the footsteps that made their way to their room.
They came to the tree and began their search. Large leaves and flowers hid any signs of life from the prying eyes of the Makai creatures. The searched around the wide trunk of the tree looking for a door or ladder, but found none. Then, Kuwabara noticed lush vines on the tree where the others were scarce. Pushing the vines aside, he found a small wooden ladder that lead into the tree. From the ground, he could see the makings of a small room.
"Hey guys," he cried to the others. "I think I found it."
Yusuke and Hiei walked over.
"Good job, I think you did," said Yusuke looking into the tree.
"Yes maybe you're not such an idiot after all," added Hiei. Kuwabara glared at the small fire demon.
"You go first," said Yusuke to Kuwabara.
Kuwabara looked cautiously into the tree. His instincts told him it would be safe for now.
"Is the little human scared?" asked Hiei sarcastically.
"I'm not scared you shrimp," replied Kuwabara.
To prove his courage, Kuwabara leaped into the tree ready to face any dangers that lurked inside. Kuwabara looked around for any sign of life in the small room.
"Hey guys it's all clear!" he yelled down to others.
Hiei and Yusuke made their up the ladder and looked around the small room. They found nothing but a small table for two with a rose bush and makeshift cupboards.
"All you need is three bowls of porridge and one more chair and you have The Three Bears," said Yusuke as he walked around the small room.
"There's no one here," said Kuwabara. Then, he noticed the small door. "Unless...."
He readied his stance to crash the door open. He ran into the door making a loud crashing sound. As the door flew open, Kuwabara got the shock of his life.
The door crashed open waking up Kurama and Kizna. Quickly, they covered themselves with the blankets hoping no one would see. Kuwabara stood in the doorway wide eyed at the sight. Kurama and Kizna turned a bright red.
"Hey Kuwabara!" screamed Yusuke as he walked into the room. "They here or what?!"
Kurama and Kizna turned an even brighter red. Kuwabara only pointed his answer. Yusuke turned.
"Whoa!" he screamed out of shock and surprise.
"Is anyone else here?" asked Kurama embarrassed as he blushed bright red.
Kuwabara and Yusuke didn't respond still shocked by the site. Hiei calmly walked in and turned to face the beet red couple.
"I knew it," said Hiei acting as though nothing had happened.
"Could you all leave?" asked Kurama annoyed by the unexpected guests. "We'll be out in a moment."
Hiei nodded and walked out. Shock and surprise evident in their faces, Yusuke and Kuwabara walked out eyes wide and mouth agape. Kizna and Kurama exchanged glances and let out exasperated sighs.
"Well I always did want to meet your friends," she said trying to comfort him.
He smiled. They walked out of the bedroom fully dressed with blush streaked across their faces. Kuwabara and Yusuke had gotten over most of the shock and began to snicker and giggled as they walked in. Kizna folded her wings and sat down at the table while Kurama took the other chair at the table. The others stood around them as though they expected an immediate answer.
"What do you want to know?" asked Kurama breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"What's she like in bed," muttered Yusuke before receiving a slap in the back of the head from Kuwabara. "Ouch!"
The blushes on their faces turned darker as they concentrated on small invisible spots on the table.
"Watch your language Urameshi," said Kuwabara. "How long have you known each other?"
"About three months," said Kurama still watching the small spot on the table.
Kuwabara smiled.
"What was she doing in the Ningekai?" asked Hiei.
"I took her there, I had to see Yusuke and I asked her to come," Kurama replied. "When we met I promised her I would take her."
"You do know if we decide to tell Koenma you all will be severely punished," said Hiei. They nodded.
"You won't tell will you?" Kurama asked.
Kizna looked to all of them with pleading silver eyes. They wore stoic masks of unreadable emotions as they looked down on her and her love.
"No," said Hiei receiving sighs of relief from the blushing couple.
Kuwabara and Yusuke looked up bewildered by what their demon friend had said.
"So who is your friend Kurama?" asked Yusuke.
"Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei this is Kizna. Kizna this is Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei," said Kurama as his blush began to fade.
Her blush had subsided and looked up and smiled and waved.
"I've always wanted to meet Kurama's friends. It's very nice to meet you," she said. "Are you all human?"
"Those two are," said Hiei with his constant scowl. "I'm not."
"Well it's very nice to meet you," she said kindly.
Light conversation went throughout the morning all curious of the mysterious little fairy Kurama had taken a liking to. Only to find very little words from Hiei but many from Kuwabara and Yusuke. Of course, Kurama and Kizna hid only one detail from their friends. They were in love. They were lucky to find true love at first sight, and they wanted to wait when it came to spreading the news. They weren't exactly sure how Shiori would act if she were to find out her son was a demon, and he fell in love with a fairy.
Conversations lasted until the afternoon, and the others prepared to leave. Kizna had been easily accepted by Kurama's friends and couldn't wait to meet the others. They watched as they trudged through the underbrush and made their way to the gates.
"Well?" asked Kurama standing behind her as he placed his arms around her waist. "What do you think?"
"They're quite nice," she replied. "But they seem to have extremely bad timing."
Kurama chuckled as he laid his head on her shoulder.
"I'm kind of hungry you?" Kizna asked as she heard a low grumble in her stomach. He nodded. "I'll be right back, I'll get us something."
"Do you want me to come?" he asked as he released her waist. She shook her head and walked to the bedroom to get her bow and arrows.
"Don't worry I shouldn't be too long," she said unfolding her wings.
With the rustle of vines and leaves, she flew into the light blue afternoon sky in search of food. He watched her lovingly the whole time.
She landed in a part of the forest where the trees were abundant and plenty of fruits and animals ready to be hunted and picked. She stalked quietly through the forest looking for anything to catch her eye. She spotted a rabbit in a small clearing and promptly shot one of her Rose Arrows killing it instantly. Walking into the clearing, she looked around to spot may blossoming plants as she picked up the rabbit. She noticed one of the plants seemed different. The plant's leaves were a sickly yellow while the others were a healthy green. 'Why not,' she thought. 'No ones looking.' She began to sing a gentle melody to the small plant making it grow with the delicate sounds of her voice.
Unbeknownst to her, a strange set of eyes of bright orange watched her from a distance. The strange demon's mouth changed into a sadistic grin as it watched the fairy sing. 'I've never seen a fairy sing to make a plant grow before,' it thought. 'The Black Diamond Circus will pay me handsomely for this.'
The plant grew and turned into a healthy green like the others. She smiled. Picking up her arrows, her bow, and the rabbit, she started to fly back home. The strange demon in the distance began to follow her while staying out of site. He smiled evilly when he saw her fly into a tree cleverly camouflaged by large flowers and leaves with a small trail of smoke coming from nearby. 'This must be where she lives,' it thought. He began to form a plot in his mind.
She arrived home with a rabbit large enough for the two of them and to find Kurama preparing a pot with plant juices and leftover berries. She could smell the fire he had burning in the fire pit outside.
"Will this be all right?" she asked holding up the rabbit. He nodded.
They skinned the rabbit, washed it with fruit juice, and placed in the pot over the fire to cook. He pulled her close as they watched the rabbit slowly cook and bubble. In the distance through a grove of trees, the demon watched the lovers. 'This makes the plan more complicated,' it thought angrily.
They ate in a comfortable silence in each others arms. The sun was about to set and make the night turn cold. They sat and watched the stars, and they kissed by the fire. They warmed each other with their love. They swept each other in deep kisses making each other sigh and moan in pleasure. Kurama put out the fire, and quickly swept her up into the house and to the bedroom. Mischievous smiles grew on their faces.
Clothes were scattered all over the floor when the morning dawn broke. The two lovers found themselves entangled in each other as they slept. Kizna awoke to the morning light shining in her eyes. She looked up to Kurama's sleeping face and smiled. 'Like a little human,' she thought. 'But yet a beautiful demon.' She tightened her grip around him causing him to stir. Small strands of hair fell into her face as she lay watching him. He awoke to the bright sun and to the love of a small figure that lay entangled in his embrace. His green eyes opened to find her watching him as small strands of light blue hair fell into her silver eyes shining with only love. He reached up a gentle hand and brushed them away revealing a delicate face with many beautiful features. He smiled. She smiled back as he pulled her closer.
He slowly let go of her to get up. As he redressed himself, she lovingly watched.
"Where are you going?" she asked curiously as she sat up.
"I'm going to get you some breakfast," he replied.
"You don't have to," she said. "I'm not that hungry."
"Yes," he gently commanded leaning down to kiss her. "You're rather skinny and you need food."
She smiled. Wrapping herself within the folds of the blanket, she walked to where her clothes lay and put them on. Gently, he kissed her goodbye and climbed out of the tree in search of fruits and berries.
The strange demon watched as Kurama left the tree-house. He gathered other demons he had rounded up throughout the night around him. They crept quietly towards the tree-house slowly climbing up the ladder Kurama had climbed down from.
She heard the soft whispering of leaves and wondered if Kurama had already come back. 'He can't be that quick,' she thought.
"Kurama?" she called uncertainly.
A wave of bad feelings surrounded her. She quickly ran for the bedroom for her arrows and bow. Before she could get there, she was ambushed by a large demon with bizarre orange eyes with a sadistic and menacing grin. The demon pounced on her and threw her to the floor. Many other demons came up into the tree-house with menacing looks on their faces. She scrambled up to try and fly only to be grabbed by the ankles and thrown down to the floor again knocking over the chairs and table in the process. Shakily, she stood with her back to the cupboards as the demons surrounded her.
"What do you want?" she asked silver eyes reflecting nothing but pure fear.
"You," the demon with the orange eyes sneered. "You'll fetch our circus a fine amount of money."
With a quick burst of speed, she jumped hoping to make it past them to fly. One of the demons pulled out a whip and whipped her around her ankles sending her crashing down on the floor once again. The demon was merciless. He readied his whip once more and whipped her harshly across her back. She screamed in pain and terror. Her blood seeped on to the wooden floor and on to her cloak that lay limply on the floor near the crashed furniture. She tried to get up only to be harshly slapped in the face by another demon. She gripped her cheek in pain as small tears ran down her face. The demons edged closer to her, and her screams from their merciless beatings echoed through the Makai.
Kurama went to pick a strange red fruit in the tree only to have slipped from his grasp. He watched as the small fruit crashed onto a rock seeping its dark red juices. A strange vision flashed before his eyes. He studied the crushed fruit carefully. 'Was that?' he asked himself. 'I could've sworn that fruit just bled blood.' A bad feeling grew in his heart. Ignoring the fruit, he ran as fast as he could back to the tree-house. 'Kizna,' he thought.
Kizna lay unconscious bruised and beaten on the floor. The demons bound her wrists and ankles with rope and prepared to carry her away. Through the leaves and in the distance, a black caravans drawn by black demon horses pulled up near the tree. A demon carried her over his back as he climbed down. Following the caravans, many cages connected with odd creatures hung from chains inside with broken spirits and dying hearts. On the very end of the line, a small iron barred cage stood empty waiting for another victim the circus would add to its macabre collection. They opened the cage door and threw her in planning to deal with her later. Galloping, the demon horses ran into the distance. In the house, a small card with a black diamond painted on it lay among the mess on the floor.
He ran as fast as he could with all him might. He scurried up the ladder not caring what he would have to face. Tables turned pots broken, Kurama found the house in shambles. He walked through the small house looking for her.
"Kizna?!" he yelled worriedly as he looked in the bedroom.
He found the bedroom as he and Kizna had left it. He worried. He looked around the kitchen once more and found something sticky on his shoes. He looked down and saw himself standing in a large puddle of blood. Her cloak lay nearby its midnight blue marred by the red ooze. By the smell, he knew it belonged to instantly. He picked up the cloak and bit his lip to stop the tears from coming. Then he saw it. He picked up a small card with a black diamond on it. He knew what it meant. 'The Black Diamond Circus,' he thought grimly. 'Why?! Why did it have to be her?!'
She need his help, and he planned to help her but he couldn't do it alone. He picked up the cloak along with the card and ran to the Gates of Rekai.
Two members of the Rekai Tantei and Kuwabara sat in Koenma's office waiting for any news of demons in the city. Hiei had kept his word and never told Koenma. As Koenma finished the meeting, the office door banged open revealing a panting kitsune holding two items in his hands.
"Kurama?" asked Koenma noticing Kurama's worried and tired face. "What's wrong?"
"Kizna," he gasped.
"Who?" asked Koenma.
The others looked around worriedly.
"Chill, what's happened to Kizna?" asked Yusuke as he led Kurama to a chair.
Kurama held out the card still gasping. Kuwabara and Yusuke looked at it strangely while Hiei and Koenma recognized the emblem in a split second.
"The Black Diamond Circus," said Koenma worried. "What happened Kurama? And who's Kizna?"
"Kizna is Kurama's girlfriend," said Hiei. Koenma nodded.
"They.... took...her," he gasped.
"Who's this Black Diamond Circus?" asked Yusuke.
"It's a illegal circus that entertains the demon underground," said Hiei. "They capture creatures and make them perform against their will. If they don't obey, they're severely beaten."
"That's cruel," said Kuwabara.
"Why did they want her?" asked Yusuke.
"She... sings," said Kurama still struggling to breathe. "They want... her... to sing. Help... me... please."
The others nodded in agreement. They ran for the gates to the Makai and stepped through.
"How do we find her?" asked Yusuke.
Kurama held out her cloak.
"I'll track her. Her scent its all over this," said Kurama. 'Kizna don't worry,' he thought. 'I'm coming.'
Kurama put on her bloodstained cloak and led the others through the wilderness to find the girl he loved. He vowed the ultimate revenge if anything had happened to her.
The caravans stopped in a large clearing near a primitive town. Demons set up tents and began to post signs. Kizna awoke to find herself being chained to the cage where she stayed. Long gold chains hung from the ceiling bounding her wrists. She saw an odd gold key with red swirls lock her chains. She looked and found her feet bound by short gold chains to the floor preventing her from moving. She was bruised and her back stung from the demon's whips. Pure fear and sadness overcame her.
"Don't you even think about escaping," a demon sneered in her face.
She winced at the smell of his breathe. Its breathe reeked of blood and alcohol and made her nauseous. 'Help me,' she thought to no one for she thought no one could here her. She watched the oncoming nightfall in the distance. 'Goodbye Kurama. I'm all on my own.'
It was near nightfall as the Rekai Tantei drew nearer where her smell was coming from. Through the trees they could make out torches and the voices of demons coming to see the strange and gruesome circus. Kurama put up the hood of the cloak and led the others into the crowds.
"Don't attract attention," warned Hiei.
"We won't even though we stick out like sore thumbs," said Yusuke.
Hiei glared instantly quieting Yusuke. They stood among the crowds looking for her cage. Demons wandered around them paying the bizarre stands for food and tickets.
"What do we do now?" whispered Kuwabara.
"Look for her," said Kurama.
"Here's a clue," said Yusuke as he ripped down a poster that hung on a nearby tree.
"The singing fairy," read Hiei. "Watch the first fairy sing to make plants grow. The night's main attraction."
Kizna looked through the crowds in despair. The demons had gathered to watch and gape at her helplessness. Snickers went through the crowd as they laughed at her and the other exhibitions. Her despair turned to hope when she saw it. Small wisps of red hair from under her cloak, black spikes of hair, the fabrics of a green and blue school uniform. She began to cry tears of joy. She had to get their attention somehow. She looked at the chains that bound her feet and wrists. She began to rattle her wrist chains wildly making the clanging echo through her cage. Her spectators began to laugh. Noticing what she had been doing, the demon ringleaders quickly entered her cage.
"What do you think you're doing?" it sneered.
She looked up at him with pleading and crying eyes.
"Please let me go," she implored crying. "I don't want to be here."
"LET YOU GO!" the demon bellowed. "I'LL LET YOU GO!"
It readied its whip and prepared to strike. The whip slapped her back with its sickening crack. She screamed and cried in pain and fear. Tears flowed freely from her eyes in a never-ending river. He readied it and struck her again. She screamed at the top of her lungs. The demons laughed at her plight. They began to throw the rocks and old fruit that lay on the ground. She screamed even louder as she was pelted with the rotten fruit and rocks.
The Rekai Tantei looked up when they heard the rattling of chains and the screams of a creature. They looked to a far cage at the end of the line and found her. They watched as she was whipped mercilessly and pelted with rocks and old fruit. Blood boiled in Kurama's veins as he watched his love being beaten. Kurama pulled out his Rose Whip and began to charge only to be stopped by Hiei.
"Let me go Hiei," Kurama growled as Hiei grasped his arm tightly.
"Don't be stupid," he hissed. "We attack when they all leave. There's too many watching."
"I hate to say it, but I think the shrimp's right," said Kuwabara receiving a scowl from Hiei.
They watched as someone walked to the front to make an announcement.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" bellowed the ringleader. "It's the moment you all have been waiting for! The Singing Fairy!"
The crowd of demons quieted down to watch the caged fairy perform.
"You had better sing good," threatened the demon in her cage. "You'll get more whippings if you don't."
She held her head as high as she could. Tears stained her face as she cried. She took a deep breathe and sung as best as she could.
"And now I'm all alone again, nowhere to turn no one to go to,
without a home, without a friend, without a face to say hello to.
And now the night is near and I can make believe he's here."
Her sadness and despair was evident in her voice as she sung. The crowds looked upon her in disdain and hatred. The trees and flowers around them bloomed into healthy blossoms and trees. The others looked on entranced by her voice. Kurama looked at her longingly wishing he could run to her side and hold her. He watched as she was looked upon in hatred and jealousy. Her song ended on a sad note as the audience looked at her with more hatred than before.
She looked up when she was finished not knowing what to expect. She looked at the demon who held the whip in mercy. He sneered. Around her, she could hear the loud disapproval of the crowds. The demon readied his whip and raised it high.
"You said you could sing," he sneered as the whip came crashing down.
Kizna screamed as the pain stung her back. New waves of tears and sadness came from her soul as the audience laughed at her once more.
The Rekai Tantei looked in anger at what the demons were doing. Fire shown in their eyes ready to protect their friend and loved one.
"How could they?" hissed Kuwabara. "She sung just fine."
"They don't care about the singing," said Hiei. "They just want to see the creatures hurt."
Yusuke and Kurama said nothing. In their eyes, the anger was evident. Yusuke balled his fists tightly as his knuckles turned pure white. Under the cloak, Kurama's nails stung his palms and small bursts of blood flowed from his hands dripping onto the forest floor unknown to the others. His teeth clenched in rage as he saw her whipped again and again.
She couldn't take the pain. She screamed louder every time the whip cracked on her back. With one final scream of anguish, she passed out only held up be her chains. She was oblivious to the beating the demon gave her.
They watched as she hung from her chains not moving. They watched in anger and rage as the demon continued to beat her even though she was completely helpless. Kurama vowed his revenge.