Disclaimer: Hypnotist: (Swinging a watch back and forth) Now repeat after
me. You do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Me: (In a weird, zombie like daze) You do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Hypnotist: No, YOU do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Me: No, YOU do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Hypnotist: No, no. I know that I don't, but you don't either.
Me: (Still watching watch going back and forth. Speaking in weird zombie voice) No, no. I know that I don't, but you don't either.
Hypnotist: (Sighs exasperated) Stop repeating after me, and repeat after me correctly!
Me: Stop repeating after me, and repeat after me correctly!
Hypnotist: No! Just . . . you DON'T own Yu Yu Hakusho!
Me: No! Just . . . you DON'T own Yu Yu Hakusho!
Hypnotist: No!! That's NOT what I mean!
Me: (Suddenly out of daze) Then what the hell DO you mean, 'cause I can't figure it out! (Gets up, leaves, slams door behind me) Oh yeah, by the by, I really don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, but is it just me or do guys like that get paid way to much!?
Author's Note: Ok, so there isn't really a logical explanation for the disclaimer, so uh . . . just kinda . . . smile, and nod, and continue reading. Thanks! ^_^,
Chapter: 13
Keiko, Kurama, and Hiei were treated graciously by the six other demons. They were formally introduced to the mysterious Cimmy, and the short tempered, yet energetic Timerie.
If Keiko didn't know better, she would have thought that Timerie was a human of Irish decent. For the girl was of average height, pale and fair in complexion, and had piercing green eyes about the color of Kurama's human body's. Her hair was strawberry blond, slightly wavy, and very thick. It went all the way down to her waist, but she kept it braided, so it was probably much longer. Her clothing consisted of a very simple beige pair of pants tucked into an equally simple pair of dark brown leather boots that went up to her knees. Her shirt was the same rich, dark color as her pants, and was form fitting in the body, but miles away from tight. Perhaps the only thing abnormal about her garments was that one sleeve was long, going down to her wrists, while the other was cut off at her shoulder much like a tank top. She was a thin girl, and yet, not slender like the other two. She was well built, muscular, but not too. All in all, she was far less menacing looking than her companions, except for Tain of coarse, who always wore the most friendly and inviting expressions.
"Would you like some tea, Ms. Keiko?" Asked the soft voice of Cimmy. She smiled down at her kindly, and gently. Keiko shook her head.
"No, thank you, I'm alright. I just--" But Keiko's sentence was cut off abruptly when they all heard a series of clattering sounds coming from the kitchen.
Dimitre glanced around at all of the familiar faces in the room. He frowned.
"We're all accounted for." He stated grimly.
Now all eyes narrowed as they looked toward the kitchen, or at least, all eyes except those of Keiko. Something inside of her told her that there was no danger. Her heart was beating rapidly, and her breath seemed to catch in her throat. She took brief notice to the fact that Hiei had his hand, once again, on the hilt of his sword. His face was expressionless, his eyes emotionless. This was nothing abnormal to her, but certainly, it bothered her. She felt closer to the fire youkai now. She felt as though they were friends, and although he was a fighter, and many times a cold-blooded killer, she trusted him.
Another clattering sound, louder than the first few, grabbed her attention back to the half opened door that led into the kitchen. Suddenly, the door began to move ever so slightly, as if the thing itself were struggling. It began to inch open further and further. A sheet of utter silence, and slight trepidation covered the atmosphere around the gathered.
The door made one final attempt, and completely fell open. Everyone gasped in shock. The person standing there was no enemy, but a longed for friend. Tears stung Keiko's eyes, and her body shook involuntarily.
"Yusuke." She whispered.
There he stood, slouched against the doorframe, hair in tangles, skin pale, eyes half lidded, his chest heaving from exertion. He starred impassively about the room, almost as though he didn't recognize anyone there . . . that is until he saw her. Keiko, who was standing now, her arms hugging herself protectively, her eyes glossy, and brimmed with tears that slowly began to pool over, and fall like crystalline water, down her cheeks. Yusuke cracked a small smile then, gazing at her for only a moment before his body shuttered, and he began to fall forward, unconscious.
Keiko's eyes widened. "Yusuke!" She called, and wasted no time in running to him. She caught him just before he would have made impact with the floor, but the weight of his body brought her to her knees. She held him firmly in her arms, and buried her face in the mess of his hair, her tears dampening the black strands. Gently she rocked him back and forth.
"Yusuke, oh Yusuke, you baka. You stupid baka. Look what you've done to yourself." She whispered, closing her eyes tightly. "Look what you've done . . ."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"But Father, surely there are more efficient ways to decide upon who rules the Makai. The tournaments are not only time consuming, but allows the opportunity for irresponsible youkai to gain control. Wouldn't it be more reasonable for the most intelligent and cunning, rather than the most powerful to gain such power?" Shura argued rather practically.
Yomi shook his head. "The Makai tournament offers power to the winner. Is it not true that in the process of obtaining victory, one must not only be strong, but must also possess a large quantity of intelligence, cunning, and will?"
"But that does not mean that that particular one is the most qualified, Father." Retorted Shura.
Yomi considered this, and then nodded. "Touché." He said simply, smiling.
His son, Shura, was a bit more peace loving than himself. Yomi wasn't sure where Shura had gotten his ideas from, but the boy was difficult to move if he had his mind set. He supposed that that was a good thing, and no matter what Shura would, inevitably, one day become a very good ruler.
However, they did not have a chance to continue with their debate, for the senses of both youkai began tingling. They turned toward the closed doors that separated the dining room from the rest of the castle. Yomi gently placed the teacup he had been holding, back on the low table top, and stood. Shura followed his example.
As expected by father and son, the doors burst open revealing Yoda, Ellena, and a small messenger demon, which looked more than a little frightened. In fact, the small demon practically clutched to Ellena's legs.
"Yomi, we've word of Kurama and his companions." Said Ellena simply.
She turned her kindly gaze down to the trembling youkai, and gave him a warm smile. She bent down, gray hair tumbling over her shoulder liker a silky water fall, and gave him a reassuring touch on his shoulder, then a little push forward.
The little creature let out a long breath, and spoke in a high-pitched tone.
"Yomi-sama, Prince Shura, I have word of Kurama, Hiei, and the human girl. I saw them enter the territory of Urameshi some time ago. There were odd youkai surrounding the perimeter of the city. They were the likes of which I have never seen. Kurama slew a couple of them, and myself, plus a few other spies that you sent out managed to bring back the body of one. We think it is very important that someone inspect the carcass."
Yomi nodded. "Very well. Thank you, now be gone." He ordered.
The little youkai sighed in relief, and zoomed out of the room.
"Where is it?" Yomi asked.
Ellena, and Yoda looked at one another, and then back at Yomi.
"Dear, I think it's in the front hall." Ellena said.
Yomi's eyebrow rose. "The hall? Why would the corpse of a dead demon be lying in the front hall?"
"To be quite frank, no one wanted to touch it . . . including myself and Yoda."
The horned king shook his head, and let out a sigh. "Come Shura, let us go see this demon."
The party of four walked from the dining room, past many other chambers, and large rooms, all of which were fairly stark and barren, before finally coming to the place of destination. There they saw the dead creature. It was covered in a sort of oozy, clear, slimy substance. Patches of fur were placed randomly about its whitish green body, and huge black veins bulged all over. It was bulky, and quite massive, with sharp teeth, and frog lips, and a long, pointed, pale pink tongue hung out of it's mouth.
Shura involuntarily covered his mouth. The thing was disgusting!
"Father, what in the three worlds IS that thing?" He asked, after regaining partial composure.
Yomi shook his head. "I have no idea . . . but its--"
"Gross." Said Shura, finishing off his father's sentence.
Yomi glanced back at his son, wondering where he would have learned such slang. However, he passed it off, and knelt down next to the creature.
"I must say that I don't blame anyone for not wishing to touch this . . . thing."
Something caught his eyes then. On the sickening youkai's chest, symbols began glowing in a purplish light. It was in a very old language, so old that not even Yomi could decipher it, which is why he was surprised when he heard a horrified gasp coming from Ellena. Her eyes went wide, and her hands flew up to either side of her face. She shook her head gently from side to side.
Her voice was filled with fear, and was grave as she slowly said, "Oh my, oh, oh merciful Gods. Yomi, we've got to get those children out of there."
"What? Why?"
"Those symbols. They are from an ancient youkai tribe known as the Sphinxes. Few know of them, but I . . . well my mother was a part of the tribe, until she was exiled for standing up against the rituals that they practiced. She taught me to read their language, and this is an incantation. A very dangerous, incantation." Ellena replied.
Shura knelt down next to the body, getting a better look at the symbols.
"Ellena, what does it say?" He asked.
"Literally, it reads, 'One who bares the living death.'"
Now Yoda let out a gasp. "So that means . . . surely not!"
"Surely so, I'm afraid. That means that this . . . thing, is what became of the soul of a demon. The spy said that there were several of them around the area, which means dozens had to have died for their souls to be obtained. A very specific ritual had to be performed in order to create what you see before you, and it had to be done in a very specific place, by a very specific demon. One of the original tribe's bloodline. Oddly enough, the tribe was said to have died out centuries ago, but if one still lives. . . we have a large problem on our hands."
Yomi digested all of this new information, calculated it, and then thought of a significant question.
"Why would one go through all of this trouble merely to create the lot of these brainless monsters?" He asked, tilting his head slightly.
The gray haired one let her arms drop to her sides as if they weighed several tons.
"They wouldn't." She whispered.
"What?"
Her eyes widened in realization. "Oh Yomi! They wouldn't. This is only a small portion of whatever they are trying to accomplish!"
"But you said that the ritual can only be performed in a specific area." Retorted the king.
Ellena nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, that's right. Rituals may only be performed within the tribe's . . . territory." Her voice lost all of it's energy as a more serious realization hit her. The same realization hit Yomi as well.
"Could it be?" He asked.
Shura frowned. "Father, what--"
"Quickly, let's get to the library." Yomi cut him off, and took off running toward the spoken destination, followed immediately by Ellena, and then Yoda. The young prince sighed in frustration. "Forget this." He mumbled, and stalked off toward his room.
Meanwhile, Yomi, and the two elders had arrived at the library. Yomi accessed a few maps from the libraries databases.
"There, can you get a closer image of that one there?" Asked Ellena as she pointed at the screen.
Yomi nodded, and enlarged the area that she had shown him. Ellena squinted.
"More, a little more . . . more, and . . . no, a little more. . . more. . . there! That's perfect. Now can you pull this map up to the one that we just enlarged?" Yomi did so. He watched, and waited as Ellena studied them, her eyes flying across the screen then looking upward in remembrance.
"I don't believe it." She said.
"Were we correct?" questioned the king.
"I'm afraid so."
He wrinkled his brow. "Those creatures, there was a band of them surrounding the area and . . . wait, a band, there was a band of them. Damn it!"
Ellena placed a hand on his arm. "What is it?"
"I think I know what happened to that group of youkai thieves that we were all so very worried about." He replied.
"Do you think so? And their leader? What of him?"
"I think, Ellena, that perhaps he is the one who is responsible for their deaths." Ellena's eyes widened. "Then he is the direct bloodline descendant." She concluded gravely.
"Yes, and if we thought that he was after my or Mukuro's territory, I'm afraid we were greatly mistaken. If anything, that was just a distraction used to keep us off the trail of what he really had planned."
"Yomi, get them out of there."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Had it been a dream? But everything was so real. He saw her standing there, looking as beautiful as ever. Her light brown hair, her glistening honey colored eyes, her radiant face. Oddly, she was very pretty when sad or angry. Perhaps that was one reason why he had spent so much time getting on her nerves . . . so long ago.
It was dark here in this place, wherever 'here' was anyway. It was cold too. He remembered all of those times when he'd come back from a fight bruised up, scratched, cut, bleeding and what have you. Keiko would somehow always be around to first give him a good smack across the face, and then to help him home where she would tend to his wounds, help get himself cleaned up, and then she would insist that he get into bed. Her hands had always been so smooth, like fine silk, and cool, but not cold. She would often hum to herself while she busied herself in the kitchen, believing that a hot meal was just as healing as a few bandages.
He sighed. A dream. Yes, it had to be, for he had lost that angel long ago. But then what was that sound somewhere far off in the obsidian distance? He could hear it, soft, and lulling. Warmth began to settle within him, and he held fast to the serene feelings of contentment. Slowly at first, and then rapidly, he felt himself being pulled, pulled away from this dark, cold place, back towards a light that he could see glowing. It was inviting him, beckoning him to come towards it. As he walked towards the light, the soft humming that he had been hearing grew in volume. That light, yes, he could touch it now . . . all he had to do was . . . reach . . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Yusuke. Yusuke." Keiko said softly. The boy was stirring in his bed, and mumbling something incomprehensible. Keiko touched a wet cloth to his dry, cracked lips, moistening them, and washing away some of the dry blood. Steadily, she moved the rag from his lips and lightly caressed his cheeks with it.
Yusuke let out a few more mumbles, and Keiko smiled dreamily. She touched the back of her hand to his forehead.
"Your fever is gone now. Yusuke, wake up, wake up Yusuke." She said.
Suddenly, he let out a groan, and the lids of his eyes began to open ever so slowly, revealing those chocolate colored eyes, so drowsy, and confused. Keiko chuckled in her throat, and smiled easily at him, waiting patiently for his mind to make him more aware. She turned her back to him for only a moment in order to douse the cloth in water once more. Suddenly, she felt something, a hand no doubt, snaking up her leg until it reached her bottom, which it then gave a light squeeze. Out of habit Keiko whipped around, metal water basin in hand.
"Yusuke! You pervert!" She yelled.
SMACK! The basin hit the bed-ridden boy right across the face. Water spilled out all over him and his bedding, and to top it all off, a painful numbness crept into his head. He couldn't help grinning. No, this was no dream. For only Keiko had the ability to make a lack of feeling painful.
"Hey there." He greeted, but his voice cracked, and his throat hurt. He winced.
Keiko starred at him with wide eyes, which suddenly became damp with more tears. And here she thought she had cried them all out!
"Hi." She replied, a smile present on her lips.
They watched one another for what seemed to be an eternity before Keiko walked over to his bedside, and sat down, carefully avoiding the wet spots. She placed the rag on top of his forehead.
"Keep that on there, Yusuke. It'll help keep the fever at bay." She said.
The tears had dispersed for the moment, and in their place had left tear stained cheeks, and slightly puffy eyes.
"How do you feel?" She questioned gently.
Yusuke shifted his position a little under the covers.
"As well as could be expected in this particular state of health."
Something glinted in Keiko's eyes.
"Which you brought on yourself." She said suddenly, harshness in her voice.
He averted his eyes from her now angry expression.
"I--"
"YOU are responsible for your health Yusuke Urameshi. And," Keiko got up from the bed. She walked over to the two huge, glass doors that led to a balcony. They were covered with fine looking curtains, which were covered in dust. Keiko frowned as she shoved them open, allowing a thick draft of chilly night air to blow into the room. They also allowed the over look of the dead city below.
"YOU are responsible for THIS." She finished, glaring back at him.
Yusuke shrank back from her cold gaze, sliding deeper under his covers. Yet, his eyes did look at where she pointed. The sight that they beheld was sad. He bit his lip, causing a few of the scabbed over cracks to split open and bleed. However, he paid no mind to such small injuries, not when guilt was causing far more injury to his heart.
"Keiko, I--" He began,
"Am a selfish bastard." Cut in Keiko, her voice holding venom.
Yusuke winced from the verbal slap. Physical, verbal, emotional, whatever, whenever Keiko dealt the hit, it hurt.
He bowed his head. "I'm sorry." He said simply. He couldn't think of anything else to say, but he knew saying SOMETHING was better than saying absolutely nothing.
"You're SORRY? That's it? You're sorry? Yusuke, look what you've done to yourself! You're sick; you're dehydrated and unnourished. You had a dangerously high fever for God's sake! You let this city, this beautiful place fall like the damned Roman Empire, and all you can say is that you're sorry? You haven't changed Yusuke, not at all. You're still irresponsible, and selfish, and, you're, you're coughing. Oh! Hang on, I'm going to get you some water, but don't think we're done here!" Keiko scolded, and left the room.
Yusuke smiled through his sudden coughing fit. He missed her outbursts. Keiko . . . she was right, he knew she was right, but did she know? Did she know that he was like this because . . . of her, because he had lost her? He didn't imagine. Suddenly, Keiko came rushing back in with a pitcher of water and a cup. She poured the beverage, and handed it to him. Between coughs Yusuke managed to get some of it down, and it helped. All the while, Keiko was rubbing comforting circles on his back, waiting patiently until he was all right again.
"Better?" She asked, when he handed her the empty glass.
"Yes--"
"Good, because I am FAR from done with you Urameshi!"
Yusuke winced, and sighed, preparing himself for what was going to be a killer argument.
"Yusuke, how could you let this happen? Weren't you thinking about the people who trusted you to keep this place alive? Did the thought cross your mind even once about those who needed you? Stupid question! It obviously didn't. Don't you understand, that those kids out there, Tain, Dimitre, Cimmy, and Timerie, the twins, Nissa, and Kane, needed you? STILL need you? What about THEM Yusuke. They don't understand why you've closed yourself off, and although YOU abandoned THEM, THEY didn't abandon YOU. In fact they spend all of their time trying to maintain the castle, and protect what's left to protect of the city. They are all that is left. That's it. Everyone else is GONE, Yusuke."
The boy looked up sharply. "Gone? Everyone? Literally?" He asked, a little taken aback.
Keiko gave him a curt nod. "Everyone, except them . . . and me, and Kurama, and Hiei. They're here too. They're all here for you, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'M here for you as well, but you Yusuke, where were you when WE needed YOU, hm?"
The shell of reserve, and harshness that had encased her secretly fragile heart began to crack ever so slightly.
"Do you even realize what kind of hell my life has been for the last years?"
A few more cracks formed. Tears began to form in her eyes again.
"My parents died!"
The casing began to shutter, more cracks forming on it.
"I took up drinking damn it!"
Small pieces began to break off.
"My career faltered!"
"Yusuke, I NEEDED you!"
The casing shattered, a million tiny pieces falling, falling into the depths of her soul, where they would remain in a pool of sorrow, and regret. Tears fell freely now, and Keiko sobbed almost uncontrollably.
Yusuke's eyes widened, and his breathing became strained. He tilted his head down, and his hand clenched tightly to the blankets that covered him. Suddenly, dark spots of salty wetness marred the material, and Yusuke clenched his eyes shut, in a vain attempt to stop his own tears.
"I . . . I'm sorry . . ." He muttered between clenched teeth.
Keiko shook her head gently from side to side.
"Yusuke--" She began.
"No, Keiko. You're right! You were ALWAYS right! I'm such a bastard! I AM rude, and, and selfish, and I . . . damn it Keiko, I'm sorry!"
Yusuke lifted his head, his own eyes glassy, and his cheeks wet with tears. Keiko was taken aback by this. Yusuke was . . . crying, and he was hurting and . . .
"Yusuke, you ARE a bastard." She said quietly.
Suddenly, she walked back across the room to his bedside, and sat down, this time not minding the wet spots. She starred into his eyes, and he starred into hers. They stayed as such for a while, calculating, testing, searching, and then Keiko let out a sigh.
"Jerk . . . quit agreeing with me, or else, how can I stay angry with you?" She asked playfully, a smile playing across her lips.
Yusuke chuckled deep in his throat.
"Damn, I can't do anything right." He replied.
Keiko began to giggle, and then she broke out in to full laughter, Yusuke followed her example. Suddenly, she grabbed onto his waist, holding fast to him, her face buried in his abdomen. Her shoulders were shuttering with laughter, and with sobs. He wrapped his arms, in turn, around her slender form, and sighed in relief. It felt good . . . to have her back in his arms.
Me: (In a weird, zombie like daze) You do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Hypnotist: No, YOU do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Me: No, YOU do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
Hypnotist: No, no. I know that I don't, but you don't either.
Me: (Still watching watch going back and forth. Speaking in weird zombie voice) No, no. I know that I don't, but you don't either.
Hypnotist: (Sighs exasperated) Stop repeating after me, and repeat after me correctly!
Me: Stop repeating after me, and repeat after me correctly!
Hypnotist: No! Just . . . you DON'T own Yu Yu Hakusho!
Me: No! Just . . . you DON'T own Yu Yu Hakusho!
Hypnotist: No!! That's NOT what I mean!
Me: (Suddenly out of daze) Then what the hell DO you mean, 'cause I can't figure it out! (Gets up, leaves, slams door behind me) Oh yeah, by the by, I really don't own Yu Yu Hakusho, but is it just me or do guys like that get paid way to much!?
Author's Note: Ok, so there isn't really a logical explanation for the disclaimer, so uh . . . just kinda . . . smile, and nod, and continue reading. Thanks! ^_^,
Chapter: 13
Keiko, Kurama, and Hiei were treated graciously by the six other demons. They were formally introduced to the mysterious Cimmy, and the short tempered, yet energetic Timerie.
If Keiko didn't know better, she would have thought that Timerie was a human of Irish decent. For the girl was of average height, pale and fair in complexion, and had piercing green eyes about the color of Kurama's human body's. Her hair was strawberry blond, slightly wavy, and very thick. It went all the way down to her waist, but she kept it braided, so it was probably much longer. Her clothing consisted of a very simple beige pair of pants tucked into an equally simple pair of dark brown leather boots that went up to her knees. Her shirt was the same rich, dark color as her pants, and was form fitting in the body, but miles away from tight. Perhaps the only thing abnormal about her garments was that one sleeve was long, going down to her wrists, while the other was cut off at her shoulder much like a tank top. She was a thin girl, and yet, not slender like the other two. She was well built, muscular, but not too. All in all, she was far less menacing looking than her companions, except for Tain of coarse, who always wore the most friendly and inviting expressions.
"Would you like some tea, Ms. Keiko?" Asked the soft voice of Cimmy. She smiled down at her kindly, and gently. Keiko shook her head.
"No, thank you, I'm alright. I just--" But Keiko's sentence was cut off abruptly when they all heard a series of clattering sounds coming from the kitchen.
Dimitre glanced around at all of the familiar faces in the room. He frowned.
"We're all accounted for." He stated grimly.
Now all eyes narrowed as they looked toward the kitchen, or at least, all eyes except those of Keiko. Something inside of her told her that there was no danger. Her heart was beating rapidly, and her breath seemed to catch in her throat. She took brief notice to the fact that Hiei had his hand, once again, on the hilt of his sword. His face was expressionless, his eyes emotionless. This was nothing abnormal to her, but certainly, it bothered her. She felt closer to the fire youkai now. She felt as though they were friends, and although he was a fighter, and many times a cold-blooded killer, she trusted him.
Another clattering sound, louder than the first few, grabbed her attention back to the half opened door that led into the kitchen. Suddenly, the door began to move ever so slightly, as if the thing itself were struggling. It began to inch open further and further. A sheet of utter silence, and slight trepidation covered the atmosphere around the gathered.
The door made one final attempt, and completely fell open. Everyone gasped in shock. The person standing there was no enemy, but a longed for friend. Tears stung Keiko's eyes, and her body shook involuntarily.
"Yusuke." She whispered.
There he stood, slouched against the doorframe, hair in tangles, skin pale, eyes half lidded, his chest heaving from exertion. He starred impassively about the room, almost as though he didn't recognize anyone there . . . that is until he saw her. Keiko, who was standing now, her arms hugging herself protectively, her eyes glossy, and brimmed with tears that slowly began to pool over, and fall like crystalline water, down her cheeks. Yusuke cracked a small smile then, gazing at her for only a moment before his body shuttered, and he began to fall forward, unconscious.
Keiko's eyes widened. "Yusuke!" She called, and wasted no time in running to him. She caught him just before he would have made impact with the floor, but the weight of his body brought her to her knees. She held him firmly in her arms, and buried her face in the mess of his hair, her tears dampening the black strands. Gently she rocked him back and forth.
"Yusuke, oh Yusuke, you baka. You stupid baka. Look what you've done to yourself." She whispered, closing her eyes tightly. "Look what you've done . . ."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"But Father, surely there are more efficient ways to decide upon who rules the Makai. The tournaments are not only time consuming, but allows the opportunity for irresponsible youkai to gain control. Wouldn't it be more reasonable for the most intelligent and cunning, rather than the most powerful to gain such power?" Shura argued rather practically.
Yomi shook his head. "The Makai tournament offers power to the winner. Is it not true that in the process of obtaining victory, one must not only be strong, but must also possess a large quantity of intelligence, cunning, and will?"
"But that does not mean that that particular one is the most qualified, Father." Retorted Shura.
Yomi considered this, and then nodded. "Touché." He said simply, smiling.
His son, Shura, was a bit more peace loving than himself. Yomi wasn't sure where Shura had gotten his ideas from, but the boy was difficult to move if he had his mind set. He supposed that that was a good thing, and no matter what Shura would, inevitably, one day become a very good ruler.
However, they did not have a chance to continue with their debate, for the senses of both youkai began tingling. They turned toward the closed doors that separated the dining room from the rest of the castle. Yomi gently placed the teacup he had been holding, back on the low table top, and stood. Shura followed his example.
As expected by father and son, the doors burst open revealing Yoda, Ellena, and a small messenger demon, which looked more than a little frightened. In fact, the small demon practically clutched to Ellena's legs.
"Yomi, we've word of Kurama and his companions." Said Ellena simply.
She turned her kindly gaze down to the trembling youkai, and gave him a warm smile. She bent down, gray hair tumbling over her shoulder liker a silky water fall, and gave him a reassuring touch on his shoulder, then a little push forward.
The little creature let out a long breath, and spoke in a high-pitched tone.
"Yomi-sama, Prince Shura, I have word of Kurama, Hiei, and the human girl. I saw them enter the territory of Urameshi some time ago. There were odd youkai surrounding the perimeter of the city. They were the likes of which I have never seen. Kurama slew a couple of them, and myself, plus a few other spies that you sent out managed to bring back the body of one. We think it is very important that someone inspect the carcass."
Yomi nodded. "Very well. Thank you, now be gone." He ordered.
The little youkai sighed in relief, and zoomed out of the room.
"Where is it?" Yomi asked.
Ellena, and Yoda looked at one another, and then back at Yomi.
"Dear, I think it's in the front hall." Ellena said.
Yomi's eyebrow rose. "The hall? Why would the corpse of a dead demon be lying in the front hall?"
"To be quite frank, no one wanted to touch it . . . including myself and Yoda."
The horned king shook his head, and let out a sigh. "Come Shura, let us go see this demon."
The party of four walked from the dining room, past many other chambers, and large rooms, all of which were fairly stark and barren, before finally coming to the place of destination. There they saw the dead creature. It was covered in a sort of oozy, clear, slimy substance. Patches of fur were placed randomly about its whitish green body, and huge black veins bulged all over. It was bulky, and quite massive, with sharp teeth, and frog lips, and a long, pointed, pale pink tongue hung out of it's mouth.
Shura involuntarily covered his mouth. The thing was disgusting!
"Father, what in the three worlds IS that thing?" He asked, after regaining partial composure.
Yomi shook his head. "I have no idea . . . but its--"
"Gross." Said Shura, finishing off his father's sentence.
Yomi glanced back at his son, wondering where he would have learned such slang. However, he passed it off, and knelt down next to the creature.
"I must say that I don't blame anyone for not wishing to touch this . . . thing."
Something caught his eyes then. On the sickening youkai's chest, symbols began glowing in a purplish light. It was in a very old language, so old that not even Yomi could decipher it, which is why he was surprised when he heard a horrified gasp coming from Ellena. Her eyes went wide, and her hands flew up to either side of her face. She shook her head gently from side to side.
Her voice was filled with fear, and was grave as she slowly said, "Oh my, oh, oh merciful Gods. Yomi, we've got to get those children out of there."
"What? Why?"
"Those symbols. They are from an ancient youkai tribe known as the Sphinxes. Few know of them, but I . . . well my mother was a part of the tribe, until she was exiled for standing up against the rituals that they practiced. She taught me to read their language, and this is an incantation. A very dangerous, incantation." Ellena replied.
Shura knelt down next to the body, getting a better look at the symbols.
"Ellena, what does it say?" He asked.
"Literally, it reads, 'One who bares the living death.'"
Now Yoda let out a gasp. "So that means . . . surely not!"
"Surely so, I'm afraid. That means that this . . . thing, is what became of the soul of a demon. The spy said that there were several of them around the area, which means dozens had to have died for their souls to be obtained. A very specific ritual had to be performed in order to create what you see before you, and it had to be done in a very specific place, by a very specific demon. One of the original tribe's bloodline. Oddly enough, the tribe was said to have died out centuries ago, but if one still lives. . . we have a large problem on our hands."
Yomi digested all of this new information, calculated it, and then thought of a significant question.
"Why would one go through all of this trouble merely to create the lot of these brainless monsters?" He asked, tilting his head slightly.
The gray haired one let her arms drop to her sides as if they weighed several tons.
"They wouldn't." She whispered.
"What?"
Her eyes widened in realization. "Oh Yomi! They wouldn't. This is only a small portion of whatever they are trying to accomplish!"
"But you said that the ritual can only be performed in a specific area." Retorted the king.
Ellena nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, that's right. Rituals may only be performed within the tribe's . . . territory." Her voice lost all of it's energy as a more serious realization hit her. The same realization hit Yomi as well.
"Could it be?" He asked.
Shura frowned. "Father, what--"
"Quickly, let's get to the library." Yomi cut him off, and took off running toward the spoken destination, followed immediately by Ellena, and then Yoda. The young prince sighed in frustration. "Forget this." He mumbled, and stalked off toward his room.
Meanwhile, Yomi, and the two elders had arrived at the library. Yomi accessed a few maps from the libraries databases.
"There, can you get a closer image of that one there?" Asked Ellena as she pointed at the screen.
Yomi nodded, and enlarged the area that she had shown him. Ellena squinted.
"More, a little more . . . more, and . . . no, a little more. . . more. . . there! That's perfect. Now can you pull this map up to the one that we just enlarged?" Yomi did so. He watched, and waited as Ellena studied them, her eyes flying across the screen then looking upward in remembrance.
"I don't believe it." She said.
"Were we correct?" questioned the king.
"I'm afraid so."
He wrinkled his brow. "Those creatures, there was a band of them surrounding the area and . . . wait, a band, there was a band of them. Damn it!"
Ellena placed a hand on his arm. "What is it?"
"I think I know what happened to that group of youkai thieves that we were all so very worried about." He replied.
"Do you think so? And their leader? What of him?"
"I think, Ellena, that perhaps he is the one who is responsible for their deaths." Ellena's eyes widened. "Then he is the direct bloodline descendant." She concluded gravely.
"Yes, and if we thought that he was after my or Mukuro's territory, I'm afraid we were greatly mistaken. If anything, that was just a distraction used to keep us off the trail of what he really had planned."
"Yomi, get them out of there."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Had it been a dream? But everything was so real. He saw her standing there, looking as beautiful as ever. Her light brown hair, her glistening honey colored eyes, her radiant face. Oddly, she was very pretty when sad or angry. Perhaps that was one reason why he had spent so much time getting on her nerves . . . so long ago.
It was dark here in this place, wherever 'here' was anyway. It was cold too. He remembered all of those times when he'd come back from a fight bruised up, scratched, cut, bleeding and what have you. Keiko would somehow always be around to first give him a good smack across the face, and then to help him home where she would tend to his wounds, help get himself cleaned up, and then she would insist that he get into bed. Her hands had always been so smooth, like fine silk, and cool, but not cold. She would often hum to herself while she busied herself in the kitchen, believing that a hot meal was just as healing as a few bandages.
He sighed. A dream. Yes, it had to be, for he had lost that angel long ago. But then what was that sound somewhere far off in the obsidian distance? He could hear it, soft, and lulling. Warmth began to settle within him, and he held fast to the serene feelings of contentment. Slowly at first, and then rapidly, he felt himself being pulled, pulled away from this dark, cold place, back towards a light that he could see glowing. It was inviting him, beckoning him to come towards it. As he walked towards the light, the soft humming that he had been hearing grew in volume. That light, yes, he could touch it now . . . all he had to do was . . . reach . . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Yusuke. Yusuke." Keiko said softly. The boy was stirring in his bed, and mumbling something incomprehensible. Keiko touched a wet cloth to his dry, cracked lips, moistening them, and washing away some of the dry blood. Steadily, she moved the rag from his lips and lightly caressed his cheeks with it.
Yusuke let out a few more mumbles, and Keiko smiled dreamily. She touched the back of her hand to his forehead.
"Your fever is gone now. Yusuke, wake up, wake up Yusuke." She said.
Suddenly, he let out a groan, and the lids of his eyes began to open ever so slowly, revealing those chocolate colored eyes, so drowsy, and confused. Keiko chuckled in her throat, and smiled easily at him, waiting patiently for his mind to make him more aware. She turned her back to him for only a moment in order to douse the cloth in water once more. Suddenly, she felt something, a hand no doubt, snaking up her leg until it reached her bottom, which it then gave a light squeeze. Out of habit Keiko whipped around, metal water basin in hand.
"Yusuke! You pervert!" She yelled.
SMACK! The basin hit the bed-ridden boy right across the face. Water spilled out all over him and his bedding, and to top it all off, a painful numbness crept into his head. He couldn't help grinning. No, this was no dream. For only Keiko had the ability to make a lack of feeling painful.
"Hey there." He greeted, but his voice cracked, and his throat hurt. He winced.
Keiko starred at him with wide eyes, which suddenly became damp with more tears. And here she thought she had cried them all out!
"Hi." She replied, a smile present on her lips.
They watched one another for what seemed to be an eternity before Keiko walked over to his bedside, and sat down, carefully avoiding the wet spots. She placed the rag on top of his forehead.
"Keep that on there, Yusuke. It'll help keep the fever at bay." She said.
The tears had dispersed for the moment, and in their place had left tear stained cheeks, and slightly puffy eyes.
"How do you feel?" She questioned gently.
Yusuke shifted his position a little under the covers.
"As well as could be expected in this particular state of health."
Something glinted in Keiko's eyes.
"Which you brought on yourself." She said suddenly, harshness in her voice.
He averted his eyes from her now angry expression.
"I--"
"YOU are responsible for your health Yusuke Urameshi. And," Keiko got up from the bed. She walked over to the two huge, glass doors that led to a balcony. They were covered with fine looking curtains, which were covered in dust. Keiko frowned as she shoved them open, allowing a thick draft of chilly night air to blow into the room. They also allowed the over look of the dead city below.
"YOU are responsible for THIS." She finished, glaring back at him.
Yusuke shrank back from her cold gaze, sliding deeper under his covers. Yet, his eyes did look at where she pointed. The sight that they beheld was sad. He bit his lip, causing a few of the scabbed over cracks to split open and bleed. However, he paid no mind to such small injuries, not when guilt was causing far more injury to his heart.
"Keiko, I--" He began,
"Am a selfish bastard." Cut in Keiko, her voice holding venom.
Yusuke winced from the verbal slap. Physical, verbal, emotional, whatever, whenever Keiko dealt the hit, it hurt.
He bowed his head. "I'm sorry." He said simply. He couldn't think of anything else to say, but he knew saying SOMETHING was better than saying absolutely nothing.
"You're SORRY? That's it? You're sorry? Yusuke, look what you've done to yourself! You're sick; you're dehydrated and unnourished. You had a dangerously high fever for God's sake! You let this city, this beautiful place fall like the damned Roman Empire, and all you can say is that you're sorry? You haven't changed Yusuke, not at all. You're still irresponsible, and selfish, and, you're, you're coughing. Oh! Hang on, I'm going to get you some water, but don't think we're done here!" Keiko scolded, and left the room.
Yusuke smiled through his sudden coughing fit. He missed her outbursts. Keiko . . . she was right, he knew she was right, but did she know? Did she know that he was like this because . . . of her, because he had lost her? He didn't imagine. Suddenly, Keiko came rushing back in with a pitcher of water and a cup. She poured the beverage, and handed it to him. Between coughs Yusuke managed to get some of it down, and it helped. All the while, Keiko was rubbing comforting circles on his back, waiting patiently until he was all right again.
"Better?" She asked, when he handed her the empty glass.
"Yes--"
"Good, because I am FAR from done with you Urameshi!"
Yusuke winced, and sighed, preparing himself for what was going to be a killer argument.
"Yusuke, how could you let this happen? Weren't you thinking about the people who trusted you to keep this place alive? Did the thought cross your mind even once about those who needed you? Stupid question! It obviously didn't. Don't you understand, that those kids out there, Tain, Dimitre, Cimmy, and Timerie, the twins, Nissa, and Kane, needed you? STILL need you? What about THEM Yusuke. They don't understand why you've closed yourself off, and although YOU abandoned THEM, THEY didn't abandon YOU. In fact they spend all of their time trying to maintain the castle, and protect what's left to protect of the city. They are all that is left. That's it. Everyone else is GONE, Yusuke."
The boy looked up sharply. "Gone? Everyone? Literally?" He asked, a little taken aback.
Keiko gave him a curt nod. "Everyone, except them . . . and me, and Kurama, and Hiei. They're here too. They're all here for you, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'M here for you as well, but you Yusuke, where were you when WE needed YOU, hm?"
The shell of reserve, and harshness that had encased her secretly fragile heart began to crack ever so slightly.
"Do you even realize what kind of hell my life has been for the last years?"
A few more cracks formed. Tears began to form in her eyes again.
"My parents died!"
The casing began to shutter, more cracks forming on it.
"I took up drinking damn it!"
Small pieces began to break off.
"My career faltered!"
"Yusuke, I NEEDED you!"
The casing shattered, a million tiny pieces falling, falling into the depths of her soul, where they would remain in a pool of sorrow, and regret. Tears fell freely now, and Keiko sobbed almost uncontrollably.
Yusuke's eyes widened, and his breathing became strained. He tilted his head down, and his hand clenched tightly to the blankets that covered him. Suddenly, dark spots of salty wetness marred the material, and Yusuke clenched his eyes shut, in a vain attempt to stop his own tears.
"I . . . I'm sorry . . ." He muttered between clenched teeth.
Keiko shook her head gently from side to side.
"Yusuke--" She began.
"No, Keiko. You're right! You were ALWAYS right! I'm such a bastard! I AM rude, and, and selfish, and I . . . damn it Keiko, I'm sorry!"
Yusuke lifted his head, his own eyes glassy, and his cheeks wet with tears. Keiko was taken aback by this. Yusuke was . . . crying, and he was hurting and . . .
"Yusuke, you ARE a bastard." She said quietly.
Suddenly, she walked back across the room to his bedside, and sat down, this time not minding the wet spots. She starred into his eyes, and he starred into hers. They stayed as such for a while, calculating, testing, searching, and then Keiko let out a sigh.
"Jerk . . . quit agreeing with me, or else, how can I stay angry with you?" She asked playfully, a smile playing across her lips.
Yusuke chuckled deep in his throat.
"Damn, I can't do anything right." He replied.
Keiko began to giggle, and then she broke out in to full laughter, Yusuke followed her example. Suddenly, she grabbed onto his waist, holding fast to him, her face buried in his abdomen. Her shoulders were shuttering with laughter, and with sobs. He wrapped his arms, in turn, around her slender form, and sighed in relief. It felt good . . . to have her back in his arms.
