Disclaimer: Me: (Places hand on Bible) I do solemnly swear to tell the
whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me.
Lawyer: Now tell the court what you told me.
Me: I own . . . er DO NOT own Yu Yu Hakusho, and I promise to continue . . . er STOP stalking the characters, there are you happy now!?
Author's Note: Hey everybody! So guess what! I figured out how to fix the formatting problem on my computer! YAY for me! Um . . . like I said, I'm trying to update more, and so far I've gotten some really nice reviews on the newly posted chapters of this fic. Of coarse, if you really dislike this fic, I don't at all mind flames either. Anyway, PLEASE review! I'd appreciate it, really, really, I would. So thank you for reading up to this point, and if you fancy, continue on. So, here's Chapter 6. Enjoy!
Chapter: 6
"You know, this place is freakishly swampy." Commented Keiko as she lifted a mud covered boot out of a particularly, deep and sloshy puddle. She wrinkled her nose at the oozing, gray liquid that dripped from her poor abused shoe.
"The Makai is made up of an astounding variety of temperate zones, and habitats. In this way it corresponds to the large demonic population that covers these lands."
Keiko rolled her eyes at Kurama's all to logical answer. "I guess that makes sense."
"Come on, we have to keep moving if we want to get out of this swamp before night fall. This is no place that you will want to be after dark." Said Hiei. A quick blur of silver and a few of the trees and odd vegetation that had been in their way fell to the ground. Swords were handy . . . no wonder Hiei kept one around all the time.
Keiko sighed and smacked her neck. She could feel mosquitoes buzzing around her . . . or at least she thought they were mosquitoes. If they weren't then the annoying life forms were the ningen equivalent of them. 'Damn bugs are probably deadly . . .'
(Flash Back)
"You mean you're leaving right away? Surely not!" Cried Ellena. The small party of three demons and one human looked up from their discussion.
"Well yes. We're on a time limit, and the sooner they get going the better." Reasoned Yomi. He had a soft spot for the kindly woman. Besides Yoda, Ellena had been working for him from the very beginning. She was like the mother that he never had. At times her constant intervention would get on his nerves, but he could never bring himself to be angry with her. Everything she said and did was for his, and Shura's well being.
"That's nonsense! The poor girl is still recovering, and you want to take her into the Makai wilds? I would think that you would be a little more compassionate, Yomi . . . after all that I've taught you, too!" The elfin woman crossed her arms and eyed the horned demon harshly.
Keiko had to suppress a laugh, for under that harsh, motherly glare, Yomi actually ducked his head slightly! However, they did need to get moving '. . . not because I'm anxious to see Yusuke . . . but because I want to get this whole thing over and done with!' She told herself, and then set about mentally glaring at the piece of her conscious that disagreed with her.
"Listen, Ellena. I promise I'll be all right. Kurama and Hiei will be with me, and only foolish creatures mess with these two. Anyway, I'm feeling much better!" Keiko said, doing her best to reassure the kindly woman. Ellena now turned an unconvinced gaze on Keiko who also found herself shrinking back.
"Honest, I feel fine!" She said, but stepped behind Kurama, who looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Keiko just smiled at him.
"Hm . . . I suppose the youko and the jaganashi will offer some protection, but if I find out that anything happened to you, both of them . . ." And she glanced at Yomi too. " . . . and Yomi, are going to feel a hand on their backsides, is that clear?"
Keiko giggled as Kurama's and Hiei's eyes widened considerably, and Yomi, if she wasn't mistaken, blushed. She imagined Kurama had never been spanked as a child. She just couldn't picture Shiori ever doing that, and as for Hiei well, that was a subject probably not worth thinking about.
Another thought hit her then. Was this journey really all that dangerous? Sure, she was in the Makai, but she had Kurama and Hiei. So what was Ellena so worried about? Well, if that whole ordeal with that unidentified band of youkai held any precedence, then she supposed that was something. Could they really be stronger than Hiei or Kurama? She seriously hoped not. Maybe if she were lucky enough to come back alive from this thing, then she could come back and see Ellena and Yomi again. She'd grown fond of them both. Although she'd heard some horror stories about Gandara's king, she hadn't had any reason to fear him thus far. As for Ellena, well she was a sweat heart. She reminded her of . . . of her own mother, before she had gotten sick, and then passed away all those years ago.
She sighed, but then her mood brightened as an idea popped into her mind. She reached for the black bag she had slung over her shoulder and undid the flap. She pulled out her beloved camera, and grinned. "Okay everybody! Photo-up!"
(End Flash Back)
Keiko grinned. That would be a great picture when she got the film developed! Although, none of them had been very . . . keen to the idea, she thought that the camera loved them all. Especially Kurama, but that wasn't necessarily surprising. She was a little jealous of him anyway. As soon as they got out of this god-forsaken swamp she would take some pictures of the Makai plains. She imagined they were quite lovely. The Makai was so vibrant, and untouched, although it was much older than the human world. The Ningenkai was more than a little scarred from all those years of pollution and human intervention. She could see why Yusuke had been so attached to this place. Keiko grimaced . . . even if she was in the middle of a goopy swamp.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Psst! Nissa, over here!"
"What is it, Kane?"
"Sh, keep your voice down! I've got some bad news."
"Well what is it? I don't have all night to stand around here, you know!"
"Korey, Kix, and Netria left."
"What!? They left? When?"
"This morning, before sunrise."
"And you're just NOW telling me this?"
"I couldn't get back here till just a few minutes ago. You know how the city is."
"Yeah, I guess. Damn! Those traitors! I knew they'd skip out eventually. Who do we have left?"
"Just you, me, Cimmy, Timerie, Dimitre, and Tain."
"You gotta be shittin' me! That's it?"
"Yep. How is he?"
"I dunno. The doors were locked again today."
"Really? That's three days in a row now."
"Not to mention the those five days a few months ago."
"Has he eaten?"
"How should I know? I haven't been able to get him, stupid!"
"Don't take out your frustrations on me!"
"Don't tell me what to do, Kane. Listen, we just have to keep trying. With any luck, things will go back to the way they were a few years ago. We owe him so much. He was there for us when we needed help, so we're going to be there when he needs it."
"I know. Well listen. The sky is grayer than usual out there, and that might alter perception a bit, so I think I'm gunna head down to the gates and see how Dimitre and Tain are doing, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll see you at meal time. Later."
"Bye."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Keiko sighed as she leaned against the surprisingly smooth walls of the cave that she, Hiei, and Kurama were camping in for the evening. They had safely made it through that dreadful swamp, and found a comfy little cave a few miles away from it. Kurama had gone out hunting for dinner while Hiei stayed in the cave and started a toasty fire. She had actually found herself talking to the jaganashi, and she could swear that he had been listening too. Once in a while he'd even respond to her verbally. She had smiled deciding that it was all in a days work for Keiko Yukimura, the best journalist and photographer in the Makai. However, there probably weren't that many journalists or photographers IN the Makai, so she wasn't quite sure where that title put her.
Kurama came back shortly afterwards, and the trio supped. The meat was quite good, but she hadn't eaten much of it. She had not been hungry then, and she still wasn't.
"Are you alright, Keiko?" Came a sudden voice, soft, and collected.
Keiko looked up, startled, from where she had been gazing. "Hm? Oh, yes, I'm fine . . . just tired I guess." She replied. Her voice was just two steps shy of being a whisper.
The silver youko smiled kindly, the golden color of his eyes seemed to be waltzing with the dancing orange blaze of the crackling fire. "Good night." He said. He knew that the girl probably needed some time to think everything over. It was because of this fact that Kurama stood up and walked to the back of the cave where Hiei had already fallen asleep. He was tired as well, and thought that he might perhaps join the slumbering fire- youkai.
Keiko watched as the thick, velvety darkness that dwelled constantly in the back of the cave swallowed up his proud form. She sighed and turned her attention, once more, to the blazing fire. Those flames seemed so simple, so sure. They had so many responsibilities, so many jobs to fulfill. They had to warm the cold, cook the meals, and follow the orders of both the wicked and the pure. All of these things they did so confidently. Why wasn't life that simple for her?
'I envy you.' She thought.
Suddenly, in those flames a picture began to form. At first it was hazy, but then became clear. Those chocolate brown eyes, and dark, slicked back hair. That tan skin, and serious expression. Yes, that was Yusuke's face she saw in that fire.
Keiko gasped, and closed her eyes, gently shaking her head from side to side. She was seeing Yusuke images in the fire. That couldn't be a good sign.
When she opened her eyes again, the fire was back to normal, but Keiko did not trust it any longer. Instead she altered her gaze, and began to stare out of the mouth of the cave. She could see the Makai prairie grass swaying in the breeze, somehow reminding her of an ocean. The normally golden grasses were silhouetted black against the navy blue sky. There seemed to be so many more stars in the Makai than back home. They were brighter too. They looked happier, as if they were laughing and playing in the heavens above her. Their father, the silver moon smiled down upon them, upon her. She could make out his face, gray and yet grandfatherly. His eyes had seen so many things, hadn't they? Perhaps he and his children knew something that she didn't.
As if on cue, the stars seemed to move right before her eyes, and suddenly, she wasn't looking at frolicking diamonds, but the beautifully outlined face and features of a smiling Yusuke Urameshi.
Keiko sighed. Now even the stars were turning against her. She quickly turned her head and looked down at the moist, cave floor. Perhaps sleep was a good idea after all. She got up slowly, and walked quietly to the back of the cave. The fire offered dim light and so she could make out the bodies of her friends. She chose to bed down right in the middle of them, suddenly feeling very vulnerable and in need of protection. She had been more tired than she had thought and so sleep claimed her quicker than she had anticipated.
However, her actions had not gone unnoticed by the two demons on either side of her. Many years of living and surviving in the Makai had made them light sleepers, as they had to constantly be on guard. And so ruby eyes meant golden ones, and both pairs looked down on the girl between them. Kurama smiled at his companion and Hiei winked, a rare thing to be seen by anyone other than the fox, and they too allowed sleep to claim them.
Lawyer: Now tell the court what you told me.
Me: I own . . . er DO NOT own Yu Yu Hakusho, and I promise to continue . . . er STOP stalking the characters, there are you happy now!?
Author's Note: Hey everybody! So guess what! I figured out how to fix the formatting problem on my computer! YAY for me! Um . . . like I said, I'm trying to update more, and so far I've gotten some really nice reviews on the newly posted chapters of this fic. Of coarse, if you really dislike this fic, I don't at all mind flames either. Anyway, PLEASE review! I'd appreciate it, really, really, I would. So thank you for reading up to this point, and if you fancy, continue on. So, here's Chapter 6. Enjoy!
Chapter: 6
"You know, this place is freakishly swampy." Commented Keiko as she lifted a mud covered boot out of a particularly, deep and sloshy puddle. She wrinkled her nose at the oozing, gray liquid that dripped from her poor abused shoe.
"The Makai is made up of an astounding variety of temperate zones, and habitats. In this way it corresponds to the large demonic population that covers these lands."
Keiko rolled her eyes at Kurama's all to logical answer. "I guess that makes sense."
"Come on, we have to keep moving if we want to get out of this swamp before night fall. This is no place that you will want to be after dark." Said Hiei. A quick blur of silver and a few of the trees and odd vegetation that had been in their way fell to the ground. Swords were handy . . . no wonder Hiei kept one around all the time.
Keiko sighed and smacked her neck. She could feel mosquitoes buzzing around her . . . or at least she thought they were mosquitoes. If they weren't then the annoying life forms were the ningen equivalent of them. 'Damn bugs are probably deadly . . .'
(Flash Back)
"You mean you're leaving right away? Surely not!" Cried Ellena. The small party of three demons and one human looked up from their discussion.
"Well yes. We're on a time limit, and the sooner they get going the better." Reasoned Yomi. He had a soft spot for the kindly woman. Besides Yoda, Ellena had been working for him from the very beginning. She was like the mother that he never had. At times her constant intervention would get on his nerves, but he could never bring himself to be angry with her. Everything she said and did was for his, and Shura's well being.
"That's nonsense! The poor girl is still recovering, and you want to take her into the Makai wilds? I would think that you would be a little more compassionate, Yomi . . . after all that I've taught you, too!" The elfin woman crossed her arms and eyed the horned demon harshly.
Keiko had to suppress a laugh, for under that harsh, motherly glare, Yomi actually ducked his head slightly! However, they did need to get moving '. . . not because I'm anxious to see Yusuke . . . but because I want to get this whole thing over and done with!' She told herself, and then set about mentally glaring at the piece of her conscious that disagreed with her.
"Listen, Ellena. I promise I'll be all right. Kurama and Hiei will be with me, and only foolish creatures mess with these two. Anyway, I'm feeling much better!" Keiko said, doing her best to reassure the kindly woman. Ellena now turned an unconvinced gaze on Keiko who also found herself shrinking back.
"Honest, I feel fine!" She said, but stepped behind Kurama, who looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Keiko just smiled at him.
"Hm . . . I suppose the youko and the jaganashi will offer some protection, but if I find out that anything happened to you, both of them . . ." And she glanced at Yomi too. " . . . and Yomi, are going to feel a hand on their backsides, is that clear?"
Keiko giggled as Kurama's and Hiei's eyes widened considerably, and Yomi, if she wasn't mistaken, blushed. She imagined Kurama had never been spanked as a child. She just couldn't picture Shiori ever doing that, and as for Hiei well, that was a subject probably not worth thinking about.
Another thought hit her then. Was this journey really all that dangerous? Sure, she was in the Makai, but she had Kurama and Hiei. So what was Ellena so worried about? Well, if that whole ordeal with that unidentified band of youkai held any precedence, then she supposed that was something. Could they really be stronger than Hiei or Kurama? She seriously hoped not. Maybe if she were lucky enough to come back alive from this thing, then she could come back and see Ellena and Yomi again. She'd grown fond of them both. Although she'd heard some horror stories about Gandara's king, she hadn't had any reason to fear him thus far. As for Ellena, well she was a sweat heart. She reminded her of . . . of her own mother, before she had gotten sick, and then passed away all those years ago.
She sighed, but then her mood brightened as an idea popped into her mind. She reached for the black bag she had slung over her shoulder and undid the flap. She pulled out her beloved camera, and grinned. "Okay everybody! Photo-up!"
(End Flash Back)
Keiko grinned. That would be a great picture when she got the film developed! Although, none of them had been very . . . keen to the idea, she thought that the camera loved them all. Especially Kurama, but that wasn't necessarily surprising. She was a little jealous of him anyway. As soon as they got out of this god-forsaken swamp she would take some pictures of the Makai plains. She imagined they were quite lovely. The Makai was so vibrant, and untouched, although it was much older than the human world. The Ningenkai was more than a little scarred from all those years of pollution and human intervention. She could see why Yusuke had been so attached to this place. Keiko grimaced . . . even if she was in the middle of a goopy swamp.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Psst! Nissa, over here!"
"What is it, Kane?"
"Sh, keep your voice down! I've got some bad news."
"Well what is it? I don't have all night to stand around here, you know!"
"Korey, Kix, and Netria left."
"What!? They left? When?"
"This morning, before sunrise."
"And you're just NOW telling me this?"
"I couldn't get back here till just a few minutes ago. You know how the city is."
"Yeah, I guess. Damn! Those traitors! I knew they'd skip out eventually. Who do we have left?"
"Just you, me, Cimmy, Timerie, Dimitre, and Tain."
"You gotta be shittin' me! That's it?"
"Yep. How is he?"
"I dunno. The doors were locked again today."
"Really? That's three days in a row now."
"Not to mention the those five days a few months ago."
"Has he eaten?"
"How should I know? I haven't been able to get him, stupid!"
"Don't take out your frustrations on me!"
"Don't tell me what to do, Kane. Listen, we just have to keep trying. With any luck, things will go back to the way they were a few years ago. We owe him so much. He was there for us when we needed help, so we're going to be there when he needs it."
"I know. Well listen. The sky is grayer than usual out there, and that might alter perception a bit, so I think I'm gunna head down to the gates and see how Dimitre and Tain are doing, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll see you at meal time. Later."
"Bye."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Keiko sighed as she leaned against the surprisingly smooth walls of the cave that she, Hiei, and Kurama were camping in for the evening. They had safely made it through that dreadful swamp, and found a comfy little cave a few miles away from it. Kurama had gone out hunting for dinner while Hiei stayed in the cave and started a toasty fire. She had actually found herself talking to the jaganashi, and she could swear that he had been listening too. Once in a while he'd even respond to her verbally. She had smiled deciding that it was all in a days work for Keiko Yukimura, the best journalist and photographer in the Makai. However, there probably weren't that many journalists or photographers IN the Makai, so she wasn't quite sure where that title put her.
Kurama came back shortly afterwards, and the trio supped. The meat was quite good, but she hadn't eaten much of it. She had not been hungry then, and she still wasn't.
"Are you alright, Keiko?" Came a sudden voice, soft, and collected.
Keiko looked up, startled, from where she had been gazing. "Hm? Oh, yes, I'm fine . . . just tired I guess." She replied. Her voice was just two steps shy of being a whisper.
The silver youko smiled kindly, the golden color of his eyes seemed to be waltzing with the dancing orange blaze of the crackling fire. "Good night." He said. He knew that the girl probably needed some time to think everything over. It was because of this fact that Kurama stood up and walked to the back of the cave where Hiei had already fallen asleep. He was tired as well, and thought that he might perhaps join the slumbering fire- youkai.
Keiko watched as the thick, velvety darkness that dwelled constantly in the back of the cave swallowed up his proud form. She sighed and turned her attention, once more, to the blazing fire. Those flames seemed so simple, so sure. They had so many responsibilities, so many jobs to fulfill. They had to warm the cold, cook the meals, and follow the orders of both the wicked and the pure. All of these things they did so confidently. Why wasn't life that simple for her?
'I envy you.' She thought.
Suddenly, in those flames a picture began to form. At first it was hazy, but then became clear. Those chocolate brown eyes, and dark, slicked back hair. That tan skin, and serious expression. Yes, that was Yusuke's face she saw in that fire.
Keiko gasped, and closed her eyes, gently shaking her head from side to side. She was seeing Yusuke images in the fire. That couldn't be a good sign.
When she opened her eyes again, the fire was back to normal, but Keiko did not trust it any longer. Instead she altered her gaze, and began to stare out of the mouth of the cave. She could see the Makai prairie grass swaying in the breeze, somehow reminding her of an ocean. The normally golden grasses were silhouetted black against the navy blue sky. There seemed to be so many more stars in the Makai than back home. They were brighter too. They looked happier, as if they were laughing and playing in the heavens above her. Their father, the silver moon smiled down upon them, upon her. She could make out his face, gray and yet grandfatherly. His eyes had seen so many things, hadn't they? Perhaps he and his children knew something that she didn't.
As if on cue, the stars seemed to move right before her eyes, and suddenly, she wasn't looking at frolicking diamonds, but the beautifully outlined face and features of a smiling Yusuke Urameshi.
Keiko sighed. Now even the stars were turning against her. She quickly turned her head and looked down at the moist, cave floor. Perhaps sleep was a good idea after all. She got up slowly, and walked quietly to the back of the cave. The fire offered dim light and so she could make out the bodies of her friends. She chose to bed down right in the middle of them, suddenly feeling very vulnerable and in need of protection. She had been more tired than she had thought and so sleep claimed her quicker than she had anticipated.
However, her actions had not gone unnoticed by the two demons on either side of her. Many years of living and surviving in the Makai had made them light sleepers, as they had to constantly be on guard. And so ruby eyes meant golden ones, and both pairs looked down on the girl between them. Kurama smiled at his companion and Hiei winked, a rare thing to be seen by anyone other than the fox, and they too allowed sleep to claim them.
