Disclaimer: Now let's think about this. If I really own Yu Yu Haksuho, why
would I be writing this???? Exactly!
Author's Note: Okay folks. This chapter is the longest one thus far. I'm trying to post this in a hurry, and so, please excuse any terrible spelling errors (forget grammar though, because I ALWAYS have grammar errors . . . I'm comma happy, what can I say?) . Anyway, read and enjoy, thank you.
Chapter: 14
"It's been a while now. It's late, and we're all tired. If what you two say is true about Keiko and Yusuke's relationship, then I doubt that they'll be done talking any time soon. It's been a long day. We all need some rest. Kurama, Hiei, your room is down this way. I hope you don't mind sharing." Said Timerie.
Kurama and Hiei glanced at one another, and Kurama shook his head.
"No, we've no problem with that." He said simply.
She nodded, and smiled at the pair. "Come on then, I'll take you there." She said, stifling a yawn.
Kurama and Hiei followed her down a dark hallway, very plain, and placid. As they walked Timerie asked them more questions about Keiko, about Yusuke, and about their relationship with one another. She seemed genuinely interested, and somewhat of a romantic too. Every now and then she would let out a dreamy sigh, and Kurama would smile, while Hiei would roll his crimson colored eyes. Finally, they came to a pair of double doors, large, but not over whelming. Timerie opened the doors, and stepped to the side, allowing the two demons entrance. The room was elegant, but not necessarily royal. It suited them fine though, as they were used to sleeping in trees, and in caves.
Timerie bowed her head shallowly, and winked at them.
"Sleep tight." She stated cheerily, and began walking away. "Oh, and by the way." she stopped to look over her shoulder at them. "If you need anything during the night, Nissa's room is the third door on the left, and Cimmy's is the fifth. They're the only ones who'll be willing to help you out. Well, g'night." She finished, and her form was swallowed up by the shadows, which inhabited the corridors.
Hiei sighed. It was somewhat of a rueful sound, and Kurama picked up on it instantly. He closed the door gently behind them.
"What seems to be the matter, Hiei?" He asked softly.
The jaganashi shook his head slowly from side to side, his eyes glowing like crimson pools in the eerie dimness in the room.
"I've got a bad feeling, fox." He said. However, it did not sound as though he deemed it to be a mere 'feeling'. Perhaps, Kurama thought, that Hiei believed it to be a sort of premonition, which was entirely possible. His friend's intuition was extremely accurate, and was certainly not something to be taken lightly, however, under their circumstances, there was nothing that either of them could do.
"Hm. What do you suppose it means, Hiei?" Questioned Kurama.
A shrug. "In one word? Danger. In eight words? We should get the hell out of here." Replied Hiei, voice calm, and steady, face blank as per the usual.
The silver fox let out a sigh. "I see." He said.
Golden eyes flickered in the dim light that was being radiated from a few candles set randomly around the room. He frowned. The candles gave the room a sort of medieval effect, which really made him uncomfortable, although he was not sure why. It just did.
"Kurama, my mind keeps reverting back to that well in that underground dome. You concluded that those bodies were probably part of some ritual, did you not?" Hiei asked suddenly. His voice made it sound as if he were keen to something.
"Yes, I did."
"What ELSE did you conclude?"
Kurama blinked innocently. "What do you mean?" He asked.
Hiei frowned. "You know very well what I mean." He said, as though he were scolding a child for lying about drawing on the walls.
"Are you insinuating that I am coveting information?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well . . . you're right."
A half smile found its way on to the fire youkai's lips. "So cough it up, kitsune."
Kurama flipped a few silvery strands of hair over his shoulder, and let his fingers knit their way into the silky strands. There was silence, and Hiei waited, knowing well enough that youkos did WHAT they wanted to do only when THEY wanted to do it. Finally, after a few minutes, Kurama cleared his throat.
"I think that perhaps those disgusting things outside are the soul reincarnates of the youkai we saw in the well." He said simply, and to the point.
Hiei raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes, and I think that you're right to be worried, because that ritual is very old, and I've only heard of it once in all my years of living, which, you know, has been . . . a while."
"Yes, you are pretty old, Kurama." Agreed Hiei, a playful glint sparking in his eyes.
Kurama's own eyes went slightly wide, and his face looked rather indignant, and then took on its frequent look of vanity. "I may be older than you, but for my age, I look DAMN good." He said playfully.
Hiei rolled his eyes. "Get over yourself." He mumbled, but smiled despite himself.
Kurama threw him a charming wink. "What's there to get over? Just admit it Hiei. I'm the best lookin' demon in the Makai." Continued the fox jokingly.
"Ch. And the vainest." Hiei replied.
"Okay, I'll accept discreet confessions."
"ANYWAY! Moving right along, Kurama. What about this ritual?"
Any playfulness that remained on Kurama's delicate features disappeared, his expression taking on a more serious look.
"It's not something to be trifled with. If I remember correctly, its goal is to obtain power . . . lots of it. In order to do so, one must take the living souls of demons, extract them, and reincarnate them into solid bodies, hence our slimy friends. These bodies are mindless, and lack little if any you-ki at all. They are merely components in this ritual, beacons, if you will. When set up correctly, the souls within each of these bodies, which act as shelter for them, or as a storage area, keeping them alive and nurtured, will be extracted once again, and transformed into pure energy. Once this is accomplished, the newly formed energy will unite into one body, the body of the one who began the ritual."
Red eyes widened in alarm. "Souls transformed into pure energy? That kind of power--"
"Could be literally unstoppable. However, this ritual may only be performed by a specific person of a certain tribe of demons that died out centuries ago."
Hiei sighed. "You're certain none of them are alive?"
Kurama shrugged. "I don't know. I'm just telling you what I heard over 150 years ago, so don't quote me on it." He replied.
"I see. So, no matter what, we still have no idea as to what is going on?"
"Precisely."
"Fine. I'm going to sleep."
Kurama nodded, and yawned. "I'll join you in that fun little activity." He agreed.
"Whatever, just don't wake me up for anything stupid." Hiei said indignantly.
Kurama looked offended. "I never wake you up for stupid things!"
"Hiei, is it just me or is it colder in here? Hiei, what do you wanna do tomorrow? Hiei, would you hand me my hairbrush?" The fire youkai mimicked the fox in a high-pitched whiney sounding voice.
"I do not sound that way you little liar, and anyway, you snore."
Hiei shrugged. "Eye for an eye, fox. Night." He said, his voice already thick with sleepiness.
Kurama smiled fondly at his friend. "Indeed. Good night Hiei." And he snuffed out the candles.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Aqua eyes glowed dimly in the darkness, as their owner walked soundlessly toward an open balcony. In his hands he held two cups filled with steaming hot tea.
"Dim?" Tain called quietly.
The darkly clad figure, which had been leaning, his arms folded, on the stone railing of the balcony over looking the city ruins, looked up, and his piercing eyes flashed briefly.
"Oh, Tain. What are you doing up?" He asked, turning his vision back toward the city.
Tain walked up next to him and set one of the cups down by his friend's arm.
"I could ask you the same question." He replied, now looking off into the foggy distance.
Dimitre snorted, and picked up his glass to drink.
"But you didn't." He said, hiding a playful grin behind his cup.
Tain rolled his eyes, and let out a sigh.
"Very well. What are YOU doing up?"
"Thinking."
"About what?"
"Anything . . . everything."
Silence. A breeze caught swirled around the pair, blowing the steam from their tea in various directions. The sky was dark, and the darkness seemed interminable. There were no stars to be seen, not even the moon shone brightly above them. It was dark . . . and that was all. Tain observed the tea; it's auburn color, the way it lapped the side of the glass, as though trying to make a desperate attempt to escape. Maybe, he thought, they should all try to escape.
"Tain?"
The sprite looked up, slightly startled.
"Ah, yeah?" He answered quickly.
Dimitre looked at him now. "Do you suppose. . . that things will change now?"
"Change? Change how?" Tain questioned, a little confused.
Dim shrugged. "Dunno. Just . . . change. Do you think things will start to revert back to, to what they used to be?" He said, trying to clarify his coment.
"Oh."
Tain paused, running words through, and possible answers though his mind. He sipped at his tea for a moment, wondering, thinking, and then he let out a sigh.
"It's possible. All we need is Yusuke back. He's strong, he can rebuild everything . . . if he wants to. Maybe with her, er . . . Keiko, here, he'll get better." Tain offered.
"Or . . . maybe he'll leave." Dimitre's voice was almost bitter in it's quiet, soft tone.
Tain eyed him warily. "Leave? Why, and where would he go?"
"With her, back to the Ningenkai."
"Surely not. I mean, he wouldn't, he came here because he loved it in the Makai." Argued the latter.
"He came here because he lost Keiko. Now that he has her back, what guarantee is there that he will stay?"
"There isn't one, I guess. But . . . do you really think he'd leave, Dim?" Tain asked, his confidence suddenly weaker.
"I--" Dimitre began, but his voice dropped immediately, and his icy eyes narrowed in to glowing blue slits.
Tain cocked his head slightly. "What is it?" He asked.
"Sh! Listen." Dim commanded, and Tain obeyed.
He could here nothing, save for the swishing of the wind. He shook his head.
"I don't hear anything, Dim, maybe you're imagining it."
Dimitre held up a hand, demanding silence, and Tain once again obliged. He waited, watching as his friend's expression began to get graver.
"The earth, it's being upset." He whispered.
"Upset, what are you--"
Suddenly, Dimitre climbed up on the railing and leapt down, nothing more then a shadow.
"Dim! Wait! What the hell are you talking about? DIM!" Tain called, but for his summons all he received was the sight of a fleeting shadow headed towards the city. Tain cursed under his breath. He turned toward the open doors, cup forgotten, and sprinted out. He ran to the hall where all of their rooms were, and only stopped when he came to Kane's. He pounded on the door. There was no answer. Another curse escaped passed his lips.
"Kane! Wake up, damn it! We have a SITUATION!" He yelled/whispered.
He heard a shuffling sound from the opposite side of the door, and then, slowly, it opened. Tain stumbled forward, but kept himself from falling. He latched onto his friend's shoulders, and practically shook him.
"We gotta go after him!"
Kane placed his hands on his frantic friend's wrists, and gently, yet forcefully pulled them down.
"There. Now, what's wrong? And start from the beginning, please." He said calmly.
"Dim and I were talking, he sensed something, uh . . .said something about the earth, it being upset, and he jumped off the balcony, and started running toward the city. We gotta go after him!" Tain said, his eyes were wild, and panicked.
"Okay, calm down. Dim is strong, and intelligent. He can take care of himself." Kane reasoned, brow wrinkling in thought.
Tain began to nod, in agreement, and take deep breathes.
"But still, he knows it isn't safe out there . . . so . . . just to be sure . . ." Kane's voice trailed off as he gently pushed the sprite to the side, and walked out into the hallway.
Tain followed after him, still breathing deeply. He followed him to Cimmy's room, and waited as he knocked gently. In no time, the door opened to reveal the tall elf.
"What is it?" She asked quietly.
"Dim ran off with no explanation toward the city. Tain says that he seemed rather upset. Do you think you can find him, Cimmy?" Kane asked.
The elfin girl nodded sharply. "It shouldn't be a problem. You had best wake everyone though. Dim is not one to run off frantic for no apparent reason."
Kane nodded, and turned to go rouse his friends. He closed his eyes briefly, mentally summoning his twin sister, who awoke immediately, and joined her brother, and Tain out in the hallway. They went to awaken Timerie, who was less than happy to see them, but once informed of the situation, she was less angry.
"Should we wake Kurama and Hiei?" Came the question from Timerie.
They all looked at one another, deciding contemplating. Finally, Nissa shook her head.
"No, this doesn't involve them." She said.
"I agree." Cimmy's voiced answer was their deciding factor.
"Very well then, let's go." Came Kane's calm voice.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No way! So what'd you do?"
Keiko grinned. "I kneed the s.o.b. in the crotch. What else?"
Yusuke burst out laughing, literally holding his stomach. Keiko smiled. To hear his laugh again, was such an indescribable feeling. She sighed in contentment. She was here, on his bed, laughing, talking like nothing had ever come between them, and she was with HIM. Yusuke was sitting right in front of her, he was so close, that she could reach out and touch him. She could hug him, hold him . . . kiss him?
Suddenly, Yusuke fell silent, upon seeing the hazy, calculating look in Keiko's eyes. She was so pretty. Slender, filled out, muscle toned, her beautiful eyes large, and deep, her honey colored hair so silky, and delicate to behold. He was almost afraid to touch those strands of hair, for fear that they would melt away in his hands . . . maybe taking her with them. He gulped. That was a fearful thought. Beautiful. She was just so beautiful. And then he noticed something else. Something so alluring. Her lips, soft, and light pink, and . . . inviting.
Yusuke couldn't stop himself. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out a hand toward her cheek. Keiko closed her eyes, and leaned in to the gentle caress. Gradually, they drew nearer and nearer to one another. They were close; both pairs of lips trembled feeling the other's breath upon them. Keiko's lips were somewhat parted, offering, inviting him into the kiss. Yusuke's heart beat faster in his chest, as he leaned in closer, closer . . . closer . . .
"Yusuke! Keiko!"
The pair jerked away from one another in an awkward attempt to look casual. They glanced at one another with unreadable expressions, and eyes, and then Keiko broke the gaze by turning her head away from Yusuke to look at Kurama, who had just burst through the bedroom doors.
Keiko cleared her throat, and got up from the bed with as much dignity as she had left.
"Kurama . . . what, um . . . seems to be the problem?"
The silver fox eyed her, and then Yusuke. He knew he had interrupted SOMETHING, but he really didn't have time to address it.
"We have to get out of here. There's an earthquake." He said.
Keiko suddenly looked very alarmed, as did Yusuke.
"An earthquake? But we aren't feeling anything--"
"You're on the second floor of the castle, and the quake, at the moment, is small in seismic wise, but it's going to get larger, I can feel it, and co can Hiei. We need to go, NOW."
Yusuke jumped out of bed, wobbling slightly, for he was still getting accustomed to using his legs. He made his way over to where Keiko was, and grabbed her wrist, then looked at Kurama.
"Let's move." He said seriously.
Kurama nodded, ad started running. Yusuke let out a grunt as he swooped Keiko off the ground and into his arms.
"Yusuke! You're in no condition to carry me!" Keiko protested.
Yusuke was already sprinting right after Kurama. He paid no mind to her wriggling, and just tightened his grip on her.
"Please Keiko, you're not going to over tax me. It's not like you're heavy." He replied rolling his eyes. "Anyway, I need to get some exercise."
"Yusuke!" She cried, but her voice was lost, nothing more than a remaining echo in each hallway and corridor that they passed through.
"Kurama. Where's Hiei?"
The youko looked back it his old friend. "Sent him on up ahead. The kids are missing. Hiei is going to attempt to locate them with the jagan. As for us, well, we're going to follow Hiei. I've got a bad feeling about this earthquake. It happened suddenly, with no warning. There are ALWAYS warning signs."
Yusuke nodded. "Fine. Let's move a little bit faster, don't worry about me."
"Sure?"
"Yeah."
Kurama shrugged, and picked up his speed considerably, Yusuke in tow with a disgruntled looking Keiko in his arms.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here? You're sure?" Asked Tain.
Cimmy gave him the, 'OF COARSE I'm sure!' look. He shrugged.
"Well I don't see him anywhere."
"Don't LOOK for him, FEEL him." Argued the elfin girl.
Tain let out a sigh, and closed his eyes.
"There?" He asked, after a familiar tingle brushed up against his senses.
Cimmy nodded. "Yes, there. Come now, we must go."
The group of five young demons crept silently toward a large, gaping hole in the ground. It was difficult to make out in the dark, but Tain and Kane's eyes grew wide when they saw it.
"But that's . . . it's the same hole that Keiko fell into, and Dim, he . . . why would he be back here?" Tain stumbled over his words.
"Who can say?" Replied Kane.
The indigo-eyed demon knelt next to the edge of the hole, examining it for his own purposes.
"Careful, brother." Warned Nissa.
Kane did not respond except with the slight nod of his head. His sister wondered is he had even heard her, which probably, he had not.
"Is there a point to us hanging around here?" Timerie shot in impatiently.
Kane rolled his eyes over to look at her.
"And what do you propose we do?" He asked.
"I'm not proposing anything." She said curtly, and walked up next to him.
Her eyes scanned the black depths of the hole, and she made little 'um-hm- ing' noises in her throat.
"Tim, what are pla--"
Suddenly, Timerie jumped over the edge of the hole, her form being swallowed up by the blackness.
"Timerie!" They yelled in unison, and the remaining three ran to where Kane stood, still rather shocked at his friend's unexpected feat.
"Timerie! Can you here us? Tim? TIM!" Tain called her, but received no reply.
"I don't believe this!" He said rather indignantly.
"Now what do we do?" Came Nissa's question.
There was a brief pause as the remaining friends glanced at one another, asking silent questions, and receiving answers just as quietly.
"Screw this! I'm goin' in after them!" Tain exclaimed abruptly.
He was about to step over the edge when a hand caught his collar, yanking him backwards with a force. The sprite stumbled backwards, and could not detain from falling to the ground, making a cloud of dust and dirt rise up. This combined with the fog, and darkness greatly impaired their vision. However, it became all to clear who had kept Tain from jumping when a pair of almond shaped, crimson red eyes appeared, glowing ominously.
"Hiei?" Asked Kane.
The fire youkai stepped into their eyesight after he hearing his name. He looked a few at least two light years from happy.
"What the hell do you think you're doing out here?" He asked a little to calmly for comfort.
Nissa stepped forward, while Kane helped Tain off of the ground.
"Dim disappeared, we came here to find him." She said.
"Then would you mind telling me where he is?" He asked.
Nissa bit her lip. "I . . . we don't know." She replied a little defeated.
He acknowledged this fact with a snort. "And the other one? Where's Timerie?"
" . . . I'm afraid we don't know that either."
Hiei let out an aggravated sigh. Children! Honestly, he wasn't a babysitter! Hiei opened his mouth, fully intent on saying something that would degrade them, but then, the ground began to rumble and shake beneath them.
"What's going on?" Cried Tain, trying to keep his balance.
Hiei cursed as the shaking became more violent. Yusuke, Kurama, and Keiko. He wasn't sure where they were, or what to do from this point. Where was this quake coming from? Suddenly, a shrill scream sliced through the air. He snapped his head in the direction of it, and found the source. The ground around Nissa was beginning to crack and break, caving in the same way that it had with Keiko.
"Nissa!" Cried Kane. He started after her, but stopped when a black streak zipped passed him, landing right next to Nissa.
The blur was none other than Hiei. The fire youkai made an attempt to pick her up into his arms, but for once, something was quicker than he was, and the ground caved in, taking both demons with it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"These quakes are getting stronger." Commented Keiko.
Yusuke's leg slid out from under him slightly, which made him stumble, but he recovered quickly.
"Tell me something I don't know." He replied sarcastically. "Hey Kurama! How much further?"
The fox looked back at the couple, and then turned his attention back in front of him.
"Not far." He replied simply.
"What's that up there?" Pointed out Keiko.
Yusuke strained his eyes to see what she was pointing at, and in his concentration did not notice that Kurama had stopped running. He ran straight into him, causing him to drop Keiko, and to fall. Kurama looked back, and stifled a chuckle. Keiko pulled herself off of the ground, and glared menacingly at Yusuke, who also found his feet.
"Better enjoy standing, Urameshi, because when I'm through with you, you won't be doin' it for looooong time." Keiko threatened.
Yusuke grinned sheepishly. Keiko was so cute when she was angry!
"Is that them?" Keiko asked, ignoring Yusuke in favor of Kurama. Yusuke frowned, but turned his attention to what the other two were looking at.
Kurama nodded. "Yes, I'm almost positive." He replied.
Keiko rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, ALMOST. That's reassuring." She said.
"Would you rather hear 'almost' from me, or from Yusuke?"
Keiko nodded her head. "Hm. Touché."
Yusuke's frown deepened. "I can hear you." He said indignantly. Once again he was ignored.
"Come on." Kurama said, taking the lead once more.
The trio walked cautiously up to the few shadowed figures standing scattered around two large holes almost right next to one another.
"Kane?" Called Keiko softly, as she could make out the silhouette of his horns.
"Yes, I'm here." He called back. Something in his voice alarmed her.
"What's wrong? Where are the others?" She asked.
"We don't know." Broke in Tain.
"I think you should start from the beginning."
And so, Tain quickly gave them the details of what had happened up to the point of their arrival. The three listened grimly.
"We have no choice then. We'll go after them." Yusuke said.
"Without a plan?" Questioned Keiko.
"What CAN we plan, Keiko? We don't know what's down there, except our friends. We'll have to risk it."
Keiko sighed nervously. Bad, foreboding feelings were jumping around within her, and either butterflies or demons (she wasn't sure which) were wrestling in her stomach.
"I'm afraid I agree with Yusuke. We don't know what to plan for." Said Kurama. Both Cimmy, and Kane nodded in agreement, and Tain just stood there, also a little uneasy about the situation.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Timerie, Timerie, are you okay?" Dim shook the girl gently. She began to stir very slightly at first, and then she opened her eyes, but only half way. She saw two familiar faces leaning over her, watching her with some concern, and then another less familiar face watching her with no expression at all.
"Nissa? What--"
"Hiei came looking for us after you jumped. He and I got caught up in a cave-in and ended up down here. We ran into Dim shortly afterwards. Are you okay?" Nissa asked, extending her hand to her.
Timerie accepted her help gratefully, and took Nissa's hand, and then Nissa pulled her to her feet.
"I'm okay, but remind never to do that again."
The brunette smiled. "Count on it."
"Enough." Hiei's deep voice cut in. "We should get moving." He said.
At that moment, the ground above them, and below them shuttered, little pieces of soil rained down on them.
"I'm feeling . . . something, in that direction." Hiei said, ignoring the shaking. He unsheathed his sword, and used it point in the direction of which he spoke.
"Should we go without the others?" Questioned Timerie.
"We don't have a choice." Hiei replied, and started walking.
The three friends glanced at each other, shrugged, and followed Hiei. They walked for another slice of eternity, and no one spoke, not even through telepathy. They simply walked on. Eventually, Timerie's mind began to wander. She wasn't paying attention really, and so, when Nissa, Dim, and Hiei came to an abrupt halt, she smacked right into the back of Dim, and cursed under her breath. Icy eyes eyed her amusedly. She frowned, and regained composure. She noticed that they had stopped right before the turning of a corner, and wondered why they didn't just go on. Actually, the thought of voicing her question came to mind, but upon seeing Hiei's concentrated form, she thought better of it.
"Get down." Hiei said suddenly.
They looked at him oddly, not reacting. Hiei turned to face them, and his eyes narrowed.
"I said get down!"
This time they obeyed, and none to soon, for just as they hit the ground, the wall of dirt separating them from the dome on the other side was blown completely away, showering them with cool, damp dirt. Hiei jumped away from this, and into the large room. He was already in a defensive stance, but he noticed something odd about the place, that wasn't there before. The gray stonewalls, and floors were covered with symbols, symbols from an ancient language that he could not read, and they were painted with blood. His eyes narrowed into crimson slits. There wasn't anything in the room really save for the bloody symbols. Even the well filled with mangled corpses stood unaltered. So where had that blast come from? He glanced over and saw Nissa, Timerie, and Dim fairing well enough, still a little surprised he imagined. Did he dare to use the jagan? What choice did he have though? With a sigh, Hiei ripped the white band from his head, letting it waft to the floor. The purple eye glowed eerily in the strange presence of the bluish light that inhabited the dome. He closed his red eyes, and the fire- youkai allowed the jagan eye to grasp onto his senses, tugging at them, pulling, directing his attention to various areas, and then moving on quickly. It briefly examined the well, passed over it, and then suddenly, went straight back to it. Hiei opened his eyes, and locked the well in his sights. Cautiously, he approached the well. He wasn't sure WHAT he had felt, but he had felt SOMETHING, and that was enough cause for worry. He peeked his head in, and saw the mangled corpses, nothing out of the ordinary, but yet, there was nagging feeling that he couldn't et rid of.
"What could . . ." His sentence trailed off as the ground around him began to shake and shutter violently. "Damn it!" He cursed, and that's when he felt it. A ki rising first from the floor, then crawling up the walls. It filled the place like smoke, and it surrounded him, suffocating his own ki. He felt weak suddenly, his eyelids became heavy. Something was here, that much was obvious, but whatever it was it refused to show itself in form. He glanced over quickly to the three young demons. They were breathing hard, as if something heavy was pressing down on their chests. The air was thick, and Hiei watched as the three young youkai suddenly collapsed to the ground. Try as he might, Hiei also succumbed to unconsciousness.
Unbeknownst to him, and the other three, a shadow loomed over his form. The demon wore black, had long white hair, darkly tanned skin, and eyes with pupils as black as the raven. He was obviously an older youkai, wise looking, and yet extremely vain, and he had a pure look of malice. A grin spread across his features as he reached a hand down to stroke Hiei's cheek.
"Powerful, aren't you?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here we are again." Keiko said dryly. They were in the dark, deep, underground now, walking down the interminably long, dirt corridor. She was still uneasy about everything. The moment that they all hit the ground, Kurama and Yusuke had said that they felt something. Although, they weren't sure what that something was, which just added to the tension.
"Yusuke."
Keiko turned her attention to the voice, which belonged to Tain. She noticed Yusuke's head turn to look at the sprite.
"Yeah?" He asked.
"After . . . all of this is over, what will you do?" Tain asked. He sounded nervous.
Yusuke shrugged. "Pick up where I left off I guess." He answered casually.
Keiko cursed in her mind. 'Baka Yusuke! Don't you know where this is going?' She thought.
"Pick up where you left off. . ." Tain paused. "In what life?" He finished just above a whisper.
"What do--"
"Look!" Everyone turned their attention toward Cimmy, who was pointing up ahead a ways.
Keiko gasped, and Kurama was silent. Yusuke cocked his head, and Tain's eyes were wide. The entire wall of dirt had been blown out, leaving a perfect view of the stone-enshrouded dome.
"How could that have happened?" Asked Tain, more to himself than anyone else.
Keiko approached the pile of dirt carefully. She tilted her head slightly to the side.
'What could that be?' She asked mentally, her eyes seeing something or perhaps even the plural option of that word.
As she drew closer, that eerie blue light made exactly what, or rather, who was lying there more obvious. She gasped.
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed, and sprinted over to the bodies of Dim, Nissa, and Timerie. "Yusuke!" She called, as she took Timerie into her arms. The demon's breathing was labored.
"Timerie! Timerie, please wake up!" She pleaded, gently shaking the green- eyed girl.
"Hey, Keiko what's--" Yusuke appeared behind her along with the others. "Shit!" He exclaimed, as he knelt down next to Keiko. He put a hand to Timerie's brow.
"Tim, hey Tim, can you hear me?" He asked. No reply. Surprising? Not really. But hope can be both a curse, and a blessing, can it not?
Keiko winced as she heard the pained cries from Tain, and Kane. Cimmy stood stalk still, watching, afraid to move, to think, to breath. Her friend's were lying motionless on the ground, and of their condition or how they got that way was unknown. How could this happen?
Kane took Nissa into his arms. "Nissa, Nissa wake up." He said calmly at first. He shook her. "Nissa . . . please." His voice cracked. "You're alright Nissa, you're a healer, you can't be hurt . . . Nissa, Nissa!" He called a bit louder, only this time, tears began to brim his indigo eyes.
Tain, in the meantime, had found Dimitre's body. He held his friend close to him. "Dim, you can't hear me, can you? It's me, Tain. Dim, you gotta wake up, and tell us what happened, you have to be alright, okay? You can't . . . go anywhere without me, you know that, Dim. Dim wake up, damn it!" Tain shook the black clad figure, and nothing happened.
The sprite's fists tightened, and he hugged the unconscious body to his chest. His knuckles were turning white, and he clenched his teeth. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Cimmy standing there, a little lost looking, confused, and scared. Gently, he turned his head back to Dimitre and set him down. Then, Tain stood up, and looked Cimmy square in her eyes. He then brought her into a hug, which she, at first, was wary of, and then returned gratefully.
"At least they're all alive still." Kurama said, his voice sympathetic, and yet commanding, as if the time for mourning had passed. "However, I think it would be wise to get them out of here." He continued.
"I'll go." Offered Yusuke, suddenly looking very angry, and determined.
Kurama shook his head. "No, we might need you--"
"Then I'll go." Keiko piped up.
Everyone turned to look at her.
"I can't take them all out at a time, but, I can get them out easily enough. That way, I won't be in your way if a fight should take place . . . and plus, well, it's only fair that I do SOMETHING worth while." She reasoned.
Kurama nodded. But Yusuke seemed to hesitate.
"Keiko . . ." He started. But the girl held a hand up for silence.
"Yusuke, how could anything bad happen?"
"What about those gross things up there?"
"They're weak. I can handle them. Honestly, Yusuke, I'm a bit different now than I was seven years ago, just trust me."
Yusuke could not help but be wary, however, Keiko had won the debate, and she did not waste time in putting Nissa on her back, and running off. Yusuke watched her until he couldn't see her, then he sighed.
"Cimmy, Kane. You guys grab Dim, and Timerie and take them back a ways so that they'll be safer."
The elfin girl, and the horned youkai nodded, and did as told.
"Tain, you come with Kurama and I." Yusuke instructed. Tain merely nodded, and followed the fox and Yusuke into the strange dome. Kurama explained to Yusuke the well, and then broke into his theory that he had told Hiei only hours before. Tain was careful to avoid the well.
"Hiei. Where is he anyway?" Yusuke asked.
Kurama shook his head. "I don't know, I'm starting to worry about him . . . I . . ."
"Do you feel that, Kurama?" Yusuke asked.
"Yes . . . it's strong."
Suddenly, they sensed the strong, heavy ki that surrounded them, obviously trying to over power them. However, Yusuke was strong, as was Kurama, and neither demon fell victim the trap. This was not true for the young Tain, though, and after a few moments, he fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Damn it!" Yusuke cursed. "He's too weak to stand it. Hey! Whoever's doing this! Why don't you be a man, and get the hell out here!" He yelled, his vice echoing about the room.
The ki suddenly disappeared, and there was a moment of stillness. Suddenly, the ground began to rumble again, and a strange light escaped from the cracks in between the stone. Almost as if the stone floor was heaving, it began to rise up, and then, the stones broke out of place, some flying in to the air, and Yusuke and Kurama easily dodged those. A figure began to rise out, black eyes flashing like polished obsidian, white hair swirling around him. He levitated in the air for a fraction of a second before landing, arms crossed proudly over his chest.
"Welcome, gentlemen." He said, with a smug little smile.
Yusuke glared, and Kurama narrowed his eyes dangerously. About that time, Cimmy, and Kane ran into the room, but stopped dead in their tracks upon seeing the foreign demon, and then at seeing their unconscious friend.
"You're all here just in time to witness the greatest occurrence in the history of the Makai." Said the demon. "For I, Kakyai, am about to become the most powerful being in all the worlds!"
"Over my dead body!" Shouted Yusuke.
The one called Kakyai raised a bushy white eyebrow.
"Indeed, it will be. As well, as your youko friend, and those two youngsters . . . oh yes, and . . . him."
All of the sudden, a body appeared levitating next to the elderly demon. Kurama's eyes went wide.
"Hiei!" He shouted.
Then, all surprise melted away, his expression deadly, his eyes beginning to glow brightly.
"Let him go." He said simply, and so calmly that even Kakyai took a moment to notice, and to size up the silver fox.
Eventually though, he shook his head.
"This one is strong. It is unfortunate that he has the jagan, for without he, would not have been susceptible to my ki trap."
Kurama was literally shaking with rage. He pulled out a red rose, and transformed it into a torn covered whip. Without hesitation, he attacked, expertly swinging it in amazing attack patterns. However, each attack was evaded, or blocked. Kakyai suddenly lashed out with his hand, and Kurama moved, but not quickly enough to avoid being hit. Kakyai's hand sunk deep into Kurama's side, and blood gushed out from the wound. The old demon grinned evilly, as he pulled his hand out from the gash, throwing Kurama to the ground.
"Kurama!" Yusuke yelled, and ran to his friend. He gathered the youko into his arms.
"Kurama . . ."
Kurama winced in pain. A portion of his gauzy white clothing was drenched with blood, as were a few of his silvery strands of hair.
"Get . . . Hiei." He said, but his voice was hoarse, and his breathing becoming labored, and shallow.
"Kurama, you're--" Yusuke began.
"Going to be okay . . . just get . . . Hiei . . . please." He pleaded, and then closed his eyes, and his muscles went limp.
Yusuke examined his fallen companion, gingerly brushing a few strands of hair out of his face. Then, he nodded determined.
"Don't worry Kurama, I'll get him." He said quietly.
Yusuke laid him out on the ground, carefully, and then he stood up to face Kakyai who was smirking proudly.
"So strong, and yet so weak." He commented casually.
Yusuke glared at him. "You do know, that you're going to die, don't you?" He asked.
Kakyai did not respond, merely continued to smirk. He turned his pitch black eyes to the two other demons that surrounded the fallen sprite. Cimmy faced his stoically.
Her eyes began to glow, and little flashes of electrical energy began to flash around them. She stood up, and began levitating in the air.
"You must be punished for your crimes. Death would be to kind, but it is the only way to be rid of you." She said.
"Cimmy, don't!" Yusuke yelled.
She ignored him though, and her own hair began swirl about her, her garments blowing in a sudden wind. As if a storm had entered the dome, dark, voluminous clouds began forming above them, the crash of thunder could be heard rumbling, and lightening flashed menacingly. Cimmy's hand raised upward, her long nails shimmering. Suddenly, a bolt of lightening seemed to be extracted from the clouds, directed at Kakyai. She then brought her hand down, and the lightening followed, seemingly striking it's target. The room filled with a bright light, quite blinding actually. Yusuke shielded his eyes. When the flash faded, everyone looked in the spot where the elderly demon had been standing, only to find it vacant.
"Alright, Cimmy! That was awesome! You got him!" Yusuke cheered.
Yusuke noticed Hiei had fallen to the floor, and he ran quickly up to the petite youkai, and picked him up. He carried him over to where Kurama was, and laid him next to the youko.
Cimmy descended from the air, landing gracefully on the ground. She sighed in relief. However, relief was brief, because suddenly, Kane yelled out, obviously distressed. Cimmy turned around to look at him just in time to be struck across the face with a powerful fist. The force sent her flying through the air, and into the stonewall. Her head knocked hard against it, and she fell unconscious to the floor.
Kakyai stood smiling. "She's powerful. Pity really. Now, as for you." He turned to Kane, who starred at him both nervously and defiantly.
"No!" Yusuke cried, running to get in between Kane and Kakyai.
Kane was a fairly good martial artist, but he was also a healer, not a fighter.
"Come now, you know he'll have to go eventually. I'll get rid of you and go after him. You're merely delaying the inevitable. Use a little common sense, boy."
Yusuke spit to the side, and then faced him squarely.
"Sorry, but common sense isn't one of my strong suits." He replied.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Keiko climbed out of the huge hole, and deposited Dim's body on the ground next to the other three.
"There ya go, all better. Now just give me a minute to breath, and I'll take you to the gates too." She said, wiping her hands on her clothes, which were dirty anyway, but she did it out of habit.
She had decided that there was plenty of vegetation surrounding the entrance gates, and so that was where she had put Timerie and Nissa. Soon, Dimitre would join them.
After a few moments, Keiko took a deep breath and hauled Dimitre onto her back, quickly making her way all the way back to the front gates. When she got there, she rapidly located the other two demons, and laid Dim down next to them. Now that they were out of that place, they seemed to be much better. In fact, it looked like they were all just sleeping, almost peacefully!
"I wish I were you guys." She said.
Suddenly, she was very aware of her exhaustion. How long had it been since she had last slept? She couldn't recall exactly, but then, she imagined that she didn't want to know really, and settled for 'too long'.
She collapsed down next to the three sleeping friends.
"Oh I don't think I've been this tired since . . . ever." She said.
She wondered about Yusuke and the others. Should she go back? What if there really WAS a battle? What then? Could she be of any help? Probably not. She was only human after all. Keiko took note to the fact that the blackness of the night was beginning to fade into the sultry gray color that was the day. She got up then, curious, and went to the large wall that bordered the city. There were a few gnarled trees that she used to climb up, so as to look over the wall. It was quiet, and a gentle breeze swooped around her playing merrily with her hair. That was when her eyes glimpsed it. Out in the distance, beyond that forest, she could see a small glint of orange- gold light shimmering on the horizon. Keiko smiled. The sun, it was so pretty in the early morning.
She spent a few more minutes starring at the beautiful, morning sight, before she began to climb back down. Just then though, something else caught her eye. She pulled herself back up into her previous position, and squinted. Something was coming . . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yusuke sent another spirit gun attack, which was easily dodged.
"Kane! Get Cimmy, Hiei, Kurama, and Tain out of here!" He ordered without bothering to look back at the healer.
"Nonsense! He'll miss the best part." Kakyai laughed, dodging yet another attack.
Suddenly though, he stopped, and Yusuke, surprised, did too.
"It is time." Spoke the elder demon.
Yusuke narrowed his eyes. "What the hell does THAT mean!?" He questioned.
Kakyai's black eyes glinted.
"Why it's quite simple my boy. You're about to die." He answered cynically.
Before Yusuke could respond, Kakyai began levitating in the air once again. A strange, black aura filled with white lightening vibrated off of him. His white hair took the air again. He began chanting a rhythmic string of foreign words. His voice began to fill the room like thunder trapped in a chest, and the stones began crumbling. Yusuke glanced around for his friends, and saw Kane carrying off Hiei. The rest were already out. He thanked Yama for that blessing.
Suddenly, spots of red mist began appearing scattered all around, and materializing into those disgusting beasts. Kakyai continued chanting, and to Yusuke, his words began to sound like a baritone hum in his ears.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The 'something' that Keiko had saw approaching turned out to be a whole bunch of 'somethings'. She was surprised to recognize a certain horned king, and innumerable soldiers following him. As they drew near, Keiko jumped down from her tree, and landed easily. She sprinted to the gate, throwing it open. Without hesitation, she ran out, her destination was Yomi. She ran full on into the horned youkai, once reaching him, she wrapped her hands tightly around his waist in a huge hug. Yomi, to say the least, was surprised. He wasn't sure exactly what to do, but he lightly wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a nervous embrace. Keiko pulled away then.
"Yomi! Thank God you're here!" She exclaimed.
He nodded, about to open his mouth to speak, but Keiko cut him off.
"We have major problems, and people down, and it's bad! Wait, how did you know to come? I thought you couldn't come." Keiko blurted out.
Yomi blinked, shook his head, and took a deep breath.
"The situation has become far to urgent for me to follow any sort of treaty. I knew to come here because one of my spies dragged the carcass of one of those monsters back to Gandara. Ellena told me something rather alarming. I felt it necessary to be here." He said.
Keiko smiled. "Good timing. Come with me, and I'll explain everything."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The chanting became louder, and a strange wind began to flood the room. It howled loudly, and yet, Kakyai's voice rose above it, strong, and undaunted. An eerie red aura outlines the creatures, and Yusuke gasped as one by one, red lights began to float from their bodies. The lights were their souls. The souls flew from their temporary bodies, leaving the beasts lifeless on the floor, and headed straight towards Kakyai. The first one struck him in the gut, causing him to cry out. Another hit him from behind, and from that point the souls just kept bombarding him. His body absorbed each and every one. Veins pulsed in his neck and forehead; his mouth hung open, emitting screams. Perhaps the most disturbing trait was his eyes, as the obsidian black disappeared along with the pupils. In its place was the color of blood red, which covered the entire eye.
Yusuke cursed. He didn't know what this meant, but he had a feeling that it wasn't a GOOD thing. He had to do something . . . but how do you stop a soul? Easy, you destroy it, but if you destroy it, you destroy the being that it belongs to. Something clicked. Kurama had explained his theory, and if the youkai in the well were dead, what did he have to worry about?
"Yes!" He shouted. "Hey!" He yelled, trying to get the older demon's attention.
Blood red eyes locked onto him, despite the pain and labored breathing. Yusuke smiled in a bittersweet way.
"You obviously think very highly of yourself, don't ya? Think ya got this whole thing nice and planned out perfectly, right? Wrong! You made one fatal error."
"What?" Screamed Kakyai.
Yusuke balled up his fist. "Shotgun!" He shouted.
The room was littered with little streaks of blue light. His ki swarmed the red souls attacking them in mid flight, and destroying them on impact. With each one that was scuttled, Kakyai cried out in even more pain. For once out of the temporary bodies, the souls became a part of him.
Yusuke smiled when each and everyone was destroyed. Kakyai fell to the floor, making an indent. His chest rose and fell slowly, and his eyes diverted back to their original color. Yusuke towered over him, smile gone, and replaced by a look of hatred.
"You hurt my friends you S.O.B, and I'm going to kill you." He stated.
Obsidian eyes went wide, but nothing more, for Yusuke let loose a powerful spirit gun attack, ending his life right then and there. All that was left of the elder demon was a smoldering corpse.
Yusuke starred at him hard, and then his eyes became heavy, and he fell to the ground exhausted. He too was breathing hard.
"Keiko . . . was . . . right . . . to much . . . to soon . . ." He said, and then succumbed to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Keiko ran on ahead of Yomi and his troops, but they all followed her lead. She had already explained to them the details, and Yomi, in turn, explained what he and Ellena had learned. The revelation that he revealed frightened the girl, causing her to break into a sprint. Without so much of an ounce of hesitation, Keiko leapt into the hole, hit the ground, fell, rolled to her side, pushed herself up, and continued running. She was frantic. Suddenly, though, se tripped over something. It was definitely a someone. She panicked more. She couldn't see in the dark, but she knelt down to try and feel who it was. Her hand hit spiky hair.
"Hiei!" She exclaimed. He was out, that much was obvious. "Oh God, um . . . you guys!" She called back to Yomi who was hot on her heels. She heard footsteps coming in the opposite direction of the horned king, and then saw the glowing indigo eyes of Kane.
He knelt down next to Keiko.
"You've brought help, good. I'll wait here for them, you go on ahead, I know you must be anxious to get to Yusuke." He said.
Keiko bit her lip. "Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yes."
She paused. " . . . Is Yusuke."
"I'm afraid I don't know. Kurama, Hiei, and Cimmy were all injured. Yusuke instructed me to get them out of there. I haven't been back since. I wanted to help, but I'm not really a fighter . . . I . . ."
Keiko put her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Kane. Oh yes and Nissa and the others, they're all fine. Just sleeping I think."
And with those few words, Keiko stood up, and ran down the corridor.
She came to the blown out wall, and gasped at the all of the destruction. The well had shattered, causing a few of the decaying pieces of the dead youkai to be scattered about the room. As if that wasn't disgusting enough, there were also the bodies of those weird, gross looking creatures! Keiko gagged, but regained her composure quickly when she caught sight of Yusuke lying still on the floor.
She ran to his side, knelt down, and gathered him into her arms. He was breathing, his pulse was strong enough, and he had a few scratches and potential bruises. Other than that he was okay. Keiko sighed in relief.
"Idiot." She said, but smiled down on him fondly. "I just found you, and you could have gotten yourself killed. How cheated would I feel, hm? You ever think about that? I completely blew off an opportunity to tour the States, get some amazing photos, and write another award winning story, just so I could come here to be with you. Then you almost get yourself killed? You selfish jerk." She said, as if he could hear her.
But perhaps he could, as he shifted slightly in his sleep, and mumbled something. Keiko looked at him, shaking her head fondly. Her eyes then drifted to the singed body clad in black.
"And you must be the bad guy." She said bitterly. "Give Koenma and Botan my love, you son of a bitch."
At that moment, she heard Yomi call her name.
"In here!" She yelled back.
The horned king stepped through the dome along with six or seven soldiers. He looked in disgust at everything, and then came up to Keiko.
"Is he alright?" He asked, looked at Yusuke.
Keiko brushed a few rogue strands of hair from his face. She gazed down at him.
"He'll live." She answered.
Yomi nodded. "We'll gather up the injured, and take them back to Gandara. Everyone can heal there."
Keiko smiled up at him. "Thank you." She replied.
Yomi nodded, and bent down, taking Yusuke into his arms.
"Let's get out of here." He said.
Keiko stood also, and nodded in agreement.
"Let's."
"Move out!" Cried Yomi.
All of the soldiers hustled toward the door in an orderly fashion. Yomi followed his men, and Keiko followed Yomi. However, something made her stop. She turned around to look at the destroyed room. Her eyes fell upon the body of Kakyai. She starred at him hard, and for some unknown reason when he started move, and push himself up, Keiko was not surprised. In fact, she waited until he had hobbled to his feet, and inspected the room. She deliberately cleared her throat. He turned around, startled. Keiko narrowed her eyes.
"Get back on the ground." She said irritably.
She brought her hand up, and concentrated. A purple dagger appeared between her first and middle finger. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the blade flying. It hit him square in the chest, and he fell to the ground, this time, dead for good. Keiko took one last glance at him, and then turned on her heel.
"Time to get the hell out of here." She mumbled, and disappeared down the corridor.
Author's Note: Okay folks. This chapter is the longest one thus far. I'm trying to post this in a hurry, and so, please excuse any terrible spelling errors (forget grammar though, because I ALWAYS have grammar errors . . . I'm comma happy, what can I say?) . Anyway, read and enjoy, thank you.
Chapter: 14
"It's been a while now. It's late, and we're all tired. If what you two say is true about Keiko and Yusuke's relationship, then I doubt that they'll be done talking any time soon. It's been a long day. We all need some rest. Kurama, Hiei, your room is down this way. I hope you don't mind sharing." Said Timerie.
Kurama and Hiei glanced at one another, and Kurama shook his head.
"No, we've no problem with that." He said simply.
She nodded, and smiled at the pair. "Come on then, I'll take you there." She said, stifling a yawn.
Kurama and Hiei followed her down a dark hallway, very plain, and placid. As they walked Timerie asked them more questions about Keiko, about Yusuke, and about their relationship with one another. She seemed genuinely interested, and somewhat of a romantic too. Every now and then she would let out a dreamy sigh, and Kurama would smile, while Hiei would roll his crimson colored eyes. Finally, they came to a pair of double doors, large, but not over whelming. Timerie opened the doors, and stepped to the side, allowing the two demons entrance. The room was elegant, but not necessarily royal. It suited them fine though, as they were used to sleeping in trees, and in caves.
Timerie bowed her head shallowly, and winked at them.
"Sleep tight." She stated cheerily, and began walking away. "Oh, and by the way." she stopped to look over her shoulder at them. "If you need anything during the night, Nissa's room is the third door on the left, and Cimmy's is the fifth. They're the only ones who'll be willing to help you out. Well, g'night." She finished, and her form was swallowed up by the shadows, which inhabited the corridors.
Hiei sighed. It was somewhat of a rueful sound, and Kurama picked up on it instantly. He closed the door gently behind them.
"What seems to be the matter, Hiei?" He asked softly.
The jaganashi shook his head slowly from side to side, his eyes glowing like crimson pools in the eerie dimness in the room.
"I've got a bad feeling, fox." He said. However, it did not sound as though he deemed it to be a mere 'feeling'. Perhaps, Kurama thought, that Hiei believed it to be a sort of premonition, which was entirely possible. His friend's intuition was extremely accurate, and was certainly not something to be taken lightly, however, under their circumstances, there was nothing that either of them could do.
"Hm. What do you suppose it means, Hiei?" Questioned Kurama.
A shrug. "In one word? Danger. In eight words? We should get the hell out of here." Replied Hiei, voice calm, and steady, face blank as per the usual.
The silver fox let out a sigh. "I see." He said.
Golden eyes flickered in the dim light that was being radiated from a few candles set randomly around the room. He frowned. The candles gave the room a sort of medieval effect, which really made him uncomfortable, although he was not sure why. It just did.
"Kurama, my mind keeps reverting back to that well in that underground dome. You concluded that those bodies were probably part of some ritual, did you not?" Hiei asked suddenly. His voice made it sound as if he were keen to something.
"Yes, I did."
"What ELSE did you conclude?"
Kurama blinked innocently. "What do you mean?" He asked.
Hiei frowned. "You know very well what I mean." He said, as though he were scolding a child for lying about drawing on the walls.
"Are you insinuating that I am coveting information?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well . . . you're right."
A half smile found its way on to the fire youkai's lips. "So cough it up, kitsune."
Kurama flipped a few silvery strands of hair over his shoulder, and let his fingers knit their way into the silky strands. There was silence, and Hiei waited, knowing well enough that youkos did WHAT they wanted to do only when THEY wanted to do it. Finally, after a few minutes, Kurama cleared his throat.
"I think that perhaps those disgusting things outside are the soul reincarnates of the youkai we saw in the well." He said simply, and to the point.
Hiei raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes, and I think that you're right to be worried, because that ritual is very old, and I've only heard of it once in all my years of living, which, you know, has been . . . a while."
"Yes, you are pretty old, Kurama." Agreed Hiei, a playful glint sparking in his eyes.
Kurama's own eyes went slightly wide, and his face looked rather indignant, and then took on its frequent look of vanity. "I may be older than you, but for my age, I look DAMN good." He said playfully.
Hiei rolled his eyes. "Get over yourself." He mumbled, but smiled despite himself.
Kurama threw him a charming wink. "What's there to get over? Just admit it Hiei. I'm the best lookin' demon in the Makai." Continued the fox jokingly.
"Ch. And the vainest." Hiei replied.
"Okay, I'll accept discreet confessions."
"ANYWAY! Moving right along, Kurama. What about this ritual?"
Any playfulness that remained on Kurama's delicate features disappeared, his expression taking on a more serious look.
"It's not something to be trifled with. If I remember correctly, its goal is to obtain power . . . lots of it. In order to do so, one must take the living souls of demons, extract them, and reincarnate them into solid bodies, hence our slimy friends. These bodies are mindless, and lack little if any you-ki at all. They are merely components in this ritual, beacons, if you will. When set up correctly, the souls within each of these bodies, which act as shelter for them, or as a storage area, keeping them alive and nurtured, will be extracted once again, and transformed into pure energy. Once this is accomplished, the newly formed energy will unite into one body, the body of the one who began the ritual."
Red eyes widened in alarm. "Souls transformed into pure energy? That kind of power--"
"Could be literally unstoppable. However, this ritual may only be performed by a specific person of a certain tribe of demons that died out centuries ago."
Hiei sighed. "You're certain none of them are alive?"
Kurama shrugged. "I don't know. I'm just telling you what I heard over 150 years ago, so don't quote me on it." He replied.
"I see. So, no matter what, we still have no idea as to what is going on?"
"Precisely."
"Fine. I'm going to sleep."
Kurama nodded, and yawned. "I'll join you in that fun little activity." He agreed.
"Whatever, just don't wake me up for anything stupid." Hiei said indignantly.
Kurama looked offended. "I never wake you up for stupid things!"
"Hiei, is it just me or is it colder in here? Hiei, what do you wanna do tomorrow? Hiei, would you hand me my hairbrush?" The fire youkai mimicked the fox in a high-pitched whiney sounding voice.
"I do not sound that way you little liar, and anyway, you snore."
Hiei shrugged. "Eye for an eye, fox. Night." He said, his voice already thick with sleepiness.
Kurama smiled fondly at his friend. "Indeed. Good night Hiei." And he snuffed out the candles.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Aqua eyes glowed dimly in the darkness, as their owner walked soundlessly toward an open balcony. In his hands he held two cups filled with steaming hot tea.
"Dim?" Tain called quietly.
The darkly clad figure, which had been leaning, his arms folded, on the stone railing of the balcony over looking the city ruins, looked up, and his piercing eyes flashed briefly.
"Oh, Tain. What are you doing up?" He asked, turning his vision back toward the city.
Tain walked up next to him and set one of the cups down by his friend's arm.
"I could ask you the same question." He replied, now looking off into the foggy distance.
Dimitre snorted, and picked up his glass to drink.
"But you didn't." He said, hiding a playful grin behind his cup.
Tain rolled his eyes, and let out a sigh.
"Very well. What are YOU doing up?"
"Thinking."
"About what?"
"Anything . . . everything."
Silence. A breeze caught swirled around the pair, blowing the steam from their tea in various directions. The sky was dark, and the darkness seemed interminable. There were no stars to be seen, not even the moon shone brightly above them. It was dark . . . and that was all. Tain observed the tea; it's auburn color, the way it lapped the side of the glass, as though trying to make a desperate attempt to escape. Maybe, he thought, they should all try to escape.
"Tain?"
The sprite looked up, slightly startled.
"Ah, yeah?" He answered quickly.
Dimitre looked at him now. "Do you suppose. . . that things will change now?"
"Change? Change how?" Tain questioned, a little confused.
Dim shrugged. "Dunno. Just . . . change. Do you think things will start to revert back to, to what they used to be?" He said, trying to clarify his coment.
"Oh."
Tain paused, running words through, and possible answers though his mind. He sipped at his tea for a moment, wondering, thinking, and then he let out a sigh.
"It's possible. All we need is Yusuke back. He's strong, he can rebuild everything . . . if he wants to. Maybe with her, er . . . Keiko, here, he'll get better." Tain offered.
"Or . . . maybe he'll leave." Dimitre's voice was almost bitter in it's quiet, soft tone.
Tain eyed him warily. "Leave? Why, and where would he go?"
"With her, back to the Ningenkai."
"Surely not. I mean, he wouldn't, he came here because he loved it in the Makai." Argued the latter.
"He came here because he lost Keiko. Now that he has her back, what guarantee is there that he will stay?"
"There isn't one, I guess. But . . . do you really think he'd leave, Dim?" Tain asked, his confidence suddenly weaker.
"I--" Dimitre began, but his voice dropped immediately, and his icy eyes narrowed in to glowing blue slits.
Tain cocked his head slightly. "What is it?" He asked.
"Sh! Listen." Dim commanded, and Tain obeyed.
He could here nothing, save for the swishing of the wind. He shook his head.
"I don't hear anything, Dim, maybe you're imagining it."
Dimitre held up a hand, demanding silence, and Tain once again obliged. He waited, watching as his friend's expression began to get graver.
"The earth, it's being upset." He whispered.
"Upset, what are you--"
Suddenly, Dimitre climbed up on the railing and leapt down, nothing more then a shadow.
"Dim! Wait! What the hell are you talking about? DIM!" Tain called, but for his summons all he received was the sight of a fleeting shadow headed towards the city. Tain cursed under his breath. He turned toward the open doors, cup forgotten, and sprinted out. He ran to the hall where all of their rooms were, and only stopped when he came to Kane's. He pounded on the door. There was no answer. Another curse escaped passed his lips.
"Kane! Wake up, damn it! We have a SITUATION!" He yelled/whispered.
He heard a shuffling sound from the opposite side of the door, and then, slowly, it opened. Tain stumbled forward, but kept himself from falling. He latched onto his friend's shoulders, and practically shook him.
"We gotta go after him!"
Kane placed his hands on his frantic friend's wrists, and gently, yet forcefully pulled them down.
"There. Now, what's wrong? And start from the beginning, please." He said calmly.
"Dim and I were talking, he sensed something, uh . . .said something about the earth, it being upset, and he jumped off the balcony, and started running toward the city. We gotta go after him!" Tain said, his eyes were wild, and panicked.
"Okay, calm down. Dim is strong, and intelligent. He can take care of himself." Kane reasoned, brow wrinkling in thought.
Tain began to nod, in agreement, and take deep breathes.
"But still, he knows it isn't safe out there . . . so . . . just to be sure . . ." Kane's voice trailed off as he gently pushed the sprite to the side, and walked out into the hallway.
Tain followed after him, still breathing deeply. He followed him to Cimmy's room, and waited as he knocked gently. In no time, the door opened to reveal the tall elf.
"What is it?" She asked quietly.
"Dim ran off with no explanation toward the city. Tain says that he seemed rather upset. Do you think you can find him, Cimmy?" Kane asked.
The elfin girl nodded sharply. "It shouldn't be a problem. You had best wake everyone though. Dim is not one to run off frantic for no apparent reason."
Kane nodded, and turned to go rouse his friends. He closed his eyes briefly, mentally summoning his twin sister, who awoke immediately, and joined her brother, and Tain out in the hallway. They went to awaken Timerie, who was less than happy to see them, but once informed of the situation, she was less angry.
"Should we wake Kurama and Hiei?" Came the question from Timerie.
They all looked at one another, deciding contemplating. Finally, Nissa shook her head.
"No, this doesn't involve them." She said.
"I agree." Cimmy's voiced answer was their deciding factor.
"Very well then, let's go." Came Kane's calm voice.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No way! So what'd you do?"
Keiko grinned. "I kneed the s.o.b. in the crotch. What else?"
Yusuke burst out laughing, literally holding his stomach. Keiko smiled. To hear his laugh again, was such an indescribable feeling. She sighed in contentment. She was here, on his bed, laughing, talking like nothing had ever come between them, and she was with HIM. Yusuke was sitting right in front of her, he was so close, that she could reach out and touch him. She could hug him, hold him . . . kiss him?
Suddenly, Yusuke fell silent, upon seeing the hazy, calculating look in Keiko's eyes. She was so pretty. Slender, filled out, muscle toned, her beautiful eyes large, and deep, her honey colored hair so silky, and delicate to behold. He was almost afraid to touch those strands of hair, for fear that they would melt away in his hands . . . maybe taking her with them. He gulped. That was a fearful thought. Beautiful. She was just so beautiful. And then he noticed something else. Something so alluring. Her lips, soft, and light pink, and . . . inviting.
Yusuke couldn't stop himself. Slowly, hesitantly, he reached out a hand toward her cheek. Keiko closed her eyes, and leaned in to the gentle caress. Gradually, they drew nearer and nearer to one another. They were close; both pairs of lips trembled feeling the other's breath upon them. Keiko's lips were somewhat parted, offering, inviting him into the kiss. Yusuke's heart beat faster in his chest, as he leaned in closer, closer . . . closer . . .
"Yusuke! Keiko!"
The pair jerked away from one another in an awkward attempt to look casual. They glanced at one another with unreadable expressions, and eyes, and then Keiko broke the gaze by turning her head away from Yusuke to look at Kurama, who had just burst through the bedroom doors.
Keiko cleared her throat, and got up from the bed with as much dignity as she had left.
"Kurama . . . what, um . . . seems to be the problem?"
The silver fox eyed her, and then Yusuke. He knew he had interrupted SOMETHING, but he really didn't have time to address it.
"We have to get out of here. There's an earthquake." He said.
Keiko suddenly looked very alarmed, as did Yusuke.
"An earthquake? But we aren't feeling anything--"
"You're on the second floor of the castle, and the quake, at the moment, is small in seismic wise, but it's going to get larger, I can feel it, and co can Hiei. We need to go, NOW."
Yusuke jumped out of bed, wobbling slightly, for he was still getting accustomed to using his legs. He made his way over to where Keiko was, and grabbed her wrist, then looked at Kurama.
"Let's move." He said seriously.
Kurama nodded, ad started running. Yusuke let out a grunt as he swooped Keiko off the ground and into his arms.
"Yusuke! You're in no condition to carry me!" Keiko protested.
Yusuke was already sprinting right after Kurama. He paid no mind to her wriggling, and just tightened his grip on her.
"Please Keiko, you're not going to over tax me. It's not like you're heavy." He replied rolling his eyes. "Anyway, I need to get some exercise."
"Yusuke!" She cried, but her voice was lost, nothing more than a remaining echo in each hallway and corridor that they passed through.
"Kurama. Where's Hiei?"
The youko looked back it his old friend. "Sent him on up ahead. The kids are missing. Hiei is going to attempt to locate them with the jagan. As for us, well, we're going to follow Hiei. I've got a bad feeling about this earthquake. It happened suddenly, with no warning. There are ALWAYS warning signs."
Yusuke nodded. "Fine. Let's move a little bit faster, don't worry about me."
"Sure?"
"Yeah."
Kurama shrugged, and picked up his speed considerably, Yusuke in tow with a disgruntled looking Keiko in his arms.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here? You're sure?" Asked Tain.
Cimmy gave him the, 'OF COARSE I'm sure!' look. He shrugged.
"Well I don't see him anywhere."
"Don't LOOK for him, FEEL him." Argued the elfin girl.
Tain let out a sigh, and closed his eyes.
"There?" He asked, after a familiar tingle brushed up against his senses.
Cimmy nodded. "Yes, there. Come now, we must go."
The group of five young demons crept silently toward a large, gaping hole in the ground. It was difficult to make out in the dark, but Tain and Kane's eyes grew wide when they saw it.
"But that's . . . it's the same hole that Keiko fell into, and Dim, he . . . why would he be back here?" Tain stumbled over his words.
"Who can say?" Replied Kane.
The indigo-eyed demon knelt next to the edge of the hole, examining it for his own purposes.
"Careful, brother." Warned Nissa.
Kane did not respond except with the slight nod of his head. His sister wondered is he had even heard her, which probably, he had not.
"Is there a point to us hanging around here?" Timerie shot in impatiently.
Kane rolled his eyes over to look at her.
"And what do you propose we do?" He asked.
"I'm not proposing anything." She said curtly, and walked up next to him.
Her eyes scanned the black depths of the hole, and she made little 'um-hm- ing' noises in her throat.
"Tim, what are pla--"
Suddenly, Timerie jumped over the edge of the hole, her form being swallowed up by the blackness.
"Timerie!" They yelled in unison, and the remaining three ran to where Kane stood, still rather shocked at his friend's unexpected feat.
"Timerie! Can you here us? Tim? TIM!" Tain called her, but received no reply.
"I don't believe this!" He said rather indignantly.
"Now what do we do?" Came Nissa's question.
There was a brief pause as the remaining friends glanced at one another, asking silent questions, and receiving answers just as quietly.
"Screw this! I'm goin' in after them!" Tain exclaimed abruptly.
He was about to step over the edge when a hand caught his collar, yanking him backwards with a force. The sprite stumbled backwards, and could not detain from falling to the ground, making a cloud of dust and dirt rise up. This combined with the fog, and darkness greatly impaired their vision. However, it became all to clear who had kept Tain from jumping when a pair of almond shaped, crimson red eyes appeared, glowing ominously.
"Hiei?" Asked Kane.
The fire youkai stepped into their eyesight after he hearing his name. He looked a few at least two light years from happy.
"What the hell do you think you're doing out here?" He asked a little to calmly for comfort.
Nissa stepped forward, while Kane helped Tain off of the ground.
"Dim disappeared, we came here to find him." She said.
"Then would you mind telling me where he is?" He asked.
Nissa bit her lip. "I . . . we don't know." She replied a little defeated.
He acknowledged this fact with a snort. "And the other one? Where's Timerie?"
" . . . I'm afraid we don't know that either."
Hiei let out an aggravated sigh. Children! Honestly, he wasn't a babysitter! Hiei opened his mouth, fully intent on saying something that would degrade them, but then, the ground began to rumble and shake beneath them.
"What's going on?" Cried Tain, trying to keep his balance.
Hiei cursed as the shaking became more violent. Yusuke, Kurama, and Keiko. He wasn't sure where they were, or what to do from this point. Where was this quake coming from? Suddenly, a shrill scream sliced through the air. He snapped his head in the direction of it, and found the source. The ground around Nissa was beginning to crack and break, caving in the same way that it had with Keiko.
"Nissa!" Cried Kane. He started after her, but stopped when a black streak zipped passed him, landing right next to Nissa.
The blur was none other than Hiei. The fire youkai made an attempt to pick her up into his arms, but for once, something was quicker than he was, and the ground caved in, taking both demons with it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"These quakes are getting stronger." Commented Keiko.
Yusuke's leg slid out from under him slightly, which made him stumble, but he recovered quickly.
"Tell me something I don't know." He replied sarcastically. "Hey Kurama! How much further?"
The fox looked back at the couple, and then turned his attention back in front of him.
"Not far." He replied simply.
"What's that up there?" Pointed out Keiko.
Yusuke strained his eyes to see what she was pointing at, and in his concentration did not notice that Kurama had stopped running. He ran straight into him, causing him to drop Keiko, and to fall. Kurama looked back, and stifled a chuckle. Keiko pulled herself off of the ground, and glared menacingly at Yusuke, who also found his feet.
"Better enjoy standing, Urameshi, because when I'm through with you, you won't be doin' it for looooong time." Keiko threatened.
Yusuke grinned sheepishly. Keiko was so cute when she was angry!
"Is that them?" Keiko asked, ignoring Yusuke in favor of Kurama. Yusuke frowned, but turned his attention to what the other two were looking at.
Kurama nodded. "Yes, I'm almost positive." He replied.
Keiko rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, ALMOST. That's reassuring." She said.
"Would you rather hear 'almost' from me, or from Yusuke?"
Keiko nodded her head. "Hm. Touché."
Yusuke's frown deepened. "I can hear you." He said indignantly. Once again he was ignored.
"Come on." Kurama said, taking the lead once more.
The trio walked cautiously up to the few shadowed figures standing scattered around two large holes almost right next to one another.
"Kane?" Called Keiko softly, as she could make out the silhouette of his horns.
"Yes, I'm here." He called back. Something in his voice alarmed her.
"What's wrong? Where are the others?" She asked.
"We don't know." Broke in Tain.
"I think you should start from the beginning."
And so, Tain quickly gave them the details of what had happened up to the point of their arrival. The three listened grimly.
"We have no choice then. We'll go after them." Yusuke said.
"Without a plan?" Questioned Keiko.
"What CAN we plan, Keiko? We don't know what's down there, except our friends. We'll have to risk it."
Keiko sighed nervously. Bad, foreboding feelings were jumping around within her, and either butterflies or demons (she wasn't sure which) were wrestling in her stomach.
"I'm afraid I agree with Yusuke. We don't know what to plan for." Said Kurama. Both Cimmy, and Kane nodded in agreement, and Tain just stood there, also a little uneasy about the situation.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Timerie, Timerie, are you okay?" Dim shook the girl gently. She began to stir very slightly at first, and then she opened her eyes, but only half way. She saw two familiar faces leaning over her, watching her with some concern, and then another less familiar face watching her with no expression at all.
"Nissa? What--"
"Hiei came looking for us after you jumped. He and I got caught up in a cave-in and ended up down here. We ran into Dim shortly afterwards. Are you okay?" Nissa asked, extending her hand to her.
Timerie accepted her help gratefully, and took Nissa's hand, and then Nissa pulled her to her feet.
"I'm okay, but remind never to do that again."
The brunette smiled. "Count on it."
"Enough." Hiei's deep voice cut in. "We should get moving." He said.
At that moment, the ground above them, and below them shuttered, little pieces of soil rained down on them.
"I'm feeling . . . something, in that direction." Hiei said, ignoring the shaking. He unsheathed his sword, and used it point in the direction of which he spoke.
"Should we go without the others?" Questioned Timerie.
"We don't have a choice." Hiei replied, and started walking.
The three friends glanced at each other, shrugged, and followed Hiei. They walked for another slice of eternity, and no one spoke, not even through telepathy. They simply walked on. Eventually, Timerie's mind began to wander. She wasn't paying attention really, and so, when Nissa, Dim, and Hiei came to an abrupt halt, she smacked right into the back of Dim, and cursed under her breath. Icy eyes eyed her amusedly. She frowned, and regained composure. She noticed that they had stopped right before the turning of a corner, and wondered why they didn't just go on. Actually, the thought of voicing her question came to mind, but upon seeing Hiei's concentrated form, she thought better of it.
"Get down." Hiei said suddenly.
They looked at him oddly, not reacting. Hiei turned to face them, and his eyes narrowed.
"I said get down!"
This time they obeyed, and none to soon, for just as they hit the ground, the wall of dirt separating them from the dome on the other side was blown completely away, showering them with cool, damp dirt. Hiei jumped away from this, and into the large room. He was already in a defensive stance, but he noticed something odd about the place, that wasn't there before. The gray stonewalls, and floors were covered with symbols, symbols from an ancient language that he could not read, and they were painted with blood. His eyes narrowed into crimson slits. There wasn't anything in the room really save for the bloody symbols. Even the well filled with mangled corpses stood unaltered. So where had that blast come from? He glanced over and saw Nissa, Timerie, and Dim fairing well enough, still a little surprised he imagined. Did he dare to use the jagan? What choice did he have though? With a sigh, Hiei ripped the white band from his head, letting it waft to the floor. The purple eye glowed eerily in the strange presence of the bluish light that inhabited the dome. He closed his red eyes, and the fire- youkai allowed the jagan eye to grasp onto his senses, tugging at them, pulling, directing his attention to various areas, and then moving on quickly. It briefly examined the well, passed over it, and then suddenly, went straight back to it. Hiei opened his eyes, and locked the well in his sights. Cautiously, he approached the well. He wasn't sure WHAT he had felt, but he had felt SOMETHING, and that was enough cause for worry. He peeked his head in, and saw the mangled corpses, nothing out of the ordinary, but yet, there was nagging feeling that he couldn't et rid of.
"What could . . ." His sentence trailed off as the ground around him began to shake and shutter violently. "Damn it!" He cursed, and that's when he felt it. A ki rising first from the floor, then crawling up the walls. It filled the place like smoke, and it surrounded him, suffocating his own ki. He felt weak suddenly, his eyelids became heavy. Something was here, that much was obvious, but whatever it was it refused to show itself in form. He glanced over quickly to the three young demons. They were breathing hard, as if something heavy was pressing down on their chests. The air was thick, and Hiei watched as the three young youkai suddenly collapsed to the ground. Try as he might, Hiei also succumbed to unconsciousness.
Unbeknownst to him, and the other three, a shadow loomed over his form. The demon wore black, had long white hair, darkly tanned skin, and eyes with pupils as black as the raven. He was obviously an older youkai, wise looking, and yet extremely vain, and he had a pure look of malice. A grin spread across his features as he reached a hand down to stroke Hiei's cheek.
"Powerful, aren't you?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Here we are again." Keiko said dryly. They were in the dark, deep, underground now, walking down the interminably long, dirt corridor. She was still uneasy about everything. The moment that they all hit the ground, Kurama and Yusuke had said that they felt something. Although, they weren't sure what that something was, which just added to the tension.
"Yusuke."
Keiko turned her attention to the voice, which belonged to Tain. She noticed Yusuke's head turn to look at the sprite.
"Yeah?" He asked.
"After . . . all of this is over, what will you do?" Tain asked. He sounded nervous.
Yusuke shrugged. "Pick up where I left off I guess." He answered casually.
Keiko cursed in her mind. 'Baka Yusuke! Don't you know where this is going?' She thought.
"Pick up where you left off. . ." Tain paused. "In what life?" He finished just above a whisper.
"What do--"
"Look!" Everyone turned their attention toward Cimmy, who was pointing up ahead a ways.
Keiko gasped, and Kurama was silent. Yusuke cocked his head, and Tain's eyes were wide. The entire wall of dirt had been blown out, leaving a perfect view of the stone-enshrouded dome.
"How could that have happened?" Asked Tain, more to himself than anyone else.
Keiko approached the pile of dirt carefully. She tilted her head slightly to the side.
'What could that be?' She asked mentally, her eyes seeing something or perhaps even the plural option of that word.
As she drew closer, that eerie blue light made exactly what, or rather, who was lying there more obvious. She gasped.
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed, and sprinted over to the bodies of Dim, Nissa, and Timerie. "Yusuke!" She called, as she took Timerie into her arms. The demon's breathing was labored.
"Timerie! Timerie, please wake up!" She pleaded, gently shaking the green- eyed girl.
"Hey, Keiko what's--" Yusuke appeared behind her along with the others. "Shit!" He exclaimed, as he knelt down next to Keiko. He put a hand to Timerie's brow.
"Tim, hey Tim, can you hear me?" He asked. No reply. Surprising? Not really. But hope can be both a curse, and a blessing, can it not?
Keiko winced as she heard the pained cries from Tain, and Kane. Cimmy stood stalk still, watching, afraid to move, to think, to breath. Her friend's were lying motionless on the ground, and of their condition or how they got that way was unknown. How could this happen?
Kane took Nissa into his arms. "Nissa, Nissa wake up." He said calmly at first. He shook her. "Nissa . . . please." His voice cracked. "You're alright Nissa, you're a healer, you can't be hurt . . . Nissa, Nissa!" He called a bit louder, only this time, tears began to brim his indigo eyes.
Tain, in the meantime, had found Dimitre's body. He held his friend close to him. "Dim, you can't hear me, can you? It's me, Tain. Dim, you gotta wake up, and tell us what happened, you have to be alright, okay? You can't . . . go anywhere without me, you know that, Dim. Dim wake up, damn it!" Tain shook the black clad figure, and nothing happened.
The sprite's fists tightened, and he hugged the unconscious body to his chest. His knuckles were turning white, and he clenched his teeth. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Cimmy standing there, a little lost looking, confused, and scared. Gently, he turned his head back to Dimitre and set him down. Then, Tain stood up, and looked Cimmy square in her eyes. He then brought her into a hug, which she, at first, was wary of, and then returned gratefully.
"At least they're all alive still." Kurama said, his voice sympathetic, and yet commanding, as if the time for mourning had passed. "However, I think it would be wise to get them out of here." He continued.
"I'll go." Offered Yusuke, suddenly looking very angry, and determined.
Kurama shook his head. "No, we might need you--"
"Then I'll go." Keiko piped up.
Everyone turned to look at her.
"I can't take them all out at a time, but, I can get them out easily enough. That way, I won't be in your way if a fight should take place . . . and plus, well, it's only fair that I do SOMETHING worth while." She reasoned.
Kurama nodded. But Yusuke seemed to hesitate.
"Keiko . . ." He started. But the girl held a hand up for silence.
"Yusuke, how could anything bad happen?"
"What about those gross things up there?"
"They're weak. I can handle them. Honestly, Yusuke, I'm a bit different now than I was seven years ago, just trust me."
Yusuke could not help but be wary, however, Keiko had won the debate, and she did not waste time in putting Nissa on her back, and running off. Yusuke watched her until he couldn't see her, then he sighed.
"Cimmy, Kane. You guys grab Dim, and Timerie and take them back a ways so that they'll be safer."
The elfin girl, and the horned youkai nodded, and did as told.
"Tain, you come with Kurama and I." Yusuke instructed. Tain merely nodded, and followed the fox and Yusuke into the strange dome. Kurama explained to Yusuke the well, and then broke into his theory that he had told Hiei only hours before. Tain was careful to avoid the well.
"Hiei. Where is he anyway?" Yusuke asked.
Kurama shook his head. "I don't know, I'm starting to worry about him . . . I . . ."
"Do you feel that, Kurama?" Yusuke asked.
"Yes . . . it's strong."
Suddenly, they sensed the strong, heavy ki that surrounded them, obviously trying to over power them. However, Yusuke was strong, as was Kurama, and neither demon fell victim the trap. This was not true for the young Tain, though, and after a few moments, he fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Damn it!" Yusuke cursed. "He's too weak to stand it. Hey! Whoever's doing this! Why don't you be a man, and get the hell out here!" He yelled, his vice echoing about the room.
The ki suddenly disappeared, and there was a moment of stillness. Suddenly, the ground began to rumble again, and a strange light escaped from the cracks in between the stone. Almost as if the stone floor was heaving, it began to rise up, and then, the stones broke out of place, some flying in to the air, and Yusuke and Kurama easily dodged those. A figure began to rise out, black eyes flashing like polished obsidian, white hair swirling around him. He levitated in the air for a fraction of a second before landing, arms crossed proudly over his chest.
"Welcome, gentlemen." He said, with a smug little smile.
Yusuke glared, and Kurama narrowed his eyes dangerously. About that time, Cimmy, and Kane ran into the room, but stopped dead in their tracks upon seeing the foreign demon, and then at seeing their unconscious friend.
"You're all here just in time to witness the greatest occurrence in the history of the Makai." Said the demon. "For I, Kakyai, am about to become the most powerful being in all the worlds!"
"Over my dead body!" Shouted Yusuke.
The one called Kakyai raised a bushy white eyebrow.
"Indeed, it will be. As well, as your youko friend, and those two youngsters . . . oh yes, and . . . him."
All of the sudden, a body appeared levitating next to the elderly demon. Kurama's eyes went wide.
"Hiei!" He shouted.
Then, all surprise melted away, his expression deadly, his eyes beginning to glow brightly.
"Let him go." He said simply, and so calmly that even Kakyai took a moment to notice, and to size up the silver fox.
Eventually though, he shook his head.
"This one is strong. It is unfortunate that he has the jagan, for without he, would not have been susceptible to my ki trap."
Kurama was literally shaking with rage. He pulled out a red rose, and transformed it into a torn covered whip. Without hesitation, he attacked, expertly swinging it in amazing attack patterns. However, each attack was evaded, or blocked. Kakyai suddenly lashed out with his hand, and Kurama moved, but not quickly enough to avoid being hit. Kakyai's hand sunk deep into Kurama's side, and blood gushed out from the wound. The old demon grinned evilly, as he pulled his hand out from the gash, throwing Kurama to the ground.
"Kurama!" Yusuke yelled, and ran to his friend. He gathered the youko into his arms.
"Kurama . . ."
Kurama winced in pain. A portion of his gauzy white clothing was drenched with blood, as were a few of his silvery strands of hair.
"Get . . . Hiei." He said, but his voice was hoarse, and his breathing becoming labored, and shallow.
"Kurama, you're--" Yusuke began.
"Going to be okay . . . just get . . . Hiei . . . please." He pleaded, and then closed his eyes, and his muscles went limp.
Yusuke examined his fallen companion, gingerly brushing a few strands of hair out of his face. Then, he nodded determined.
"Don't worry Kurama, I'll get him." He said quietly.
Yusuke laid him out on the ground, carefully, and then he stood up to face Kakyai who was smirking proudly.
"So strong, and yet so weak." He commented casually.
Yusuke glared at him. "You do know, that you're going to die, don't you?" He asked.
Kakyai did not respond, merely continued to smirk. He turned his pitch black eyes to the two other demons that surrounded the fallen sprite. Cimmy faced his stoically.
Her eyes began to glow, and little flashes of electrical energy began to flash around them. She stood up, and began levitating in the air.
"You must be punished for your crimes. Death would be to kind, but it is the only way to be rid of you." She said.
"Cimmy, don't!" Yusuke yelled.
She ignored him though, and her own hair began swirl about her, her garments blowing in a sudden wind. As if a storm had entered the dome, dark, voluminous clouds began forming above them, the crash of thunder could be heard rumbling, and lightening flashed menacingly. Cimmy's hand raised upward, her long nails shimmering. Suddenly, a bolt of lightening seemed to be extracted from the clouds, directed at Kakyai. She then brought her hand down, and the lightening followed, seemingly striking it's target. The room filled with a bright light, quite blinding actually. Yusuke shielded his eyes. When the flash faded, everyone looked in the spot where the elderly demon had been standing, only to find it vacant.
"Alright, Cimmy! That was awesome! You got him!" Yusuke cheered.
Yusuke noticed Hiei had fallen to the floor, and he ran quickly up to the petite youkai, and picked him up. He carried him over to where Kurama was, and laid him next to the youko.
Cimmy descended from the air, landing gracefully on the ground. She sighed in relief. However, relief was brief, because suddenly, Kane yelled out, obviously distressed. Cimmy turned around to look at him just in time to be struck across the face with a powerful fist. The force sent her flying through the air, and into the stonewall. Her head knocked hard against it, and she fell unconscious to the floor.
Kakyai stood smiling. "She's powerful. Pity really. Now, as for you." He turned to Kane, who starred at him both nervously and defiantly.
"No!" Yusuke cried, running to get in between Kane and Kakyai.
Kane was a fairly good martial artist, but he was also a healer, not a fighter.
"Come now, you know he'll have to go eventually. I'll get rid of you and go after him. You're merely delaying the inevitable. Use a little common sense, boy."
Yusuke spit to the side, and then faced him squarely.
"Sorry, but common sense isn't one of my strong suits." He replied.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Keiko climbed out of the huge hole, and deposited Dim's body on the ground next to the other three.
"There ya go, all better. Now just give me a minute to breath, and I'll take you to the gates too." She said, wiping her hands on her clothes, which were dirty anyway, but she did it out of habit.
She had decided that there was plenty of vegetation surrounding the entrance gates, and so that was where she had put Timerie and Nissa. Soon, Dimitre would join them.
After a few moments, Keiko took a deep breath and hauled Dimitre onto her back, quickly making her way all the way back to the front gates. When she got there, she rapidly located the other two demons, and laid Dim down next to them. Now that they were out of that place, they seemed to be much better. In fact, it looked like they were all just sleeping, almost peacefully!
"I wish I were you guys." She said.
Suddenly, she was very aware of her exhaustion. How long had it been since she had last slept? She couldn't recall exactly, but then, she imagined that she didn't want to know really, and settled for 'too long'.
She collapsed down next to the three sleeping friends.
"Oh I don't think I've been this tired since . . . ever." She said.
She wondered about Yusuke and the others. Should she go back? What if there really WAS a battle? What then? Could she be of any help? Probably not. She was only human after all. Keiko took note to the fact that the blackness of the night was beginning to fade into the sultry gray color that was the day. She got up then, curious, and went to the large wall that bordered the city. There were a few gnarled trees that she used to climb up, so as to look over the wall. It was quiet, and a gentle breeze swooped around her playing merrily with her hair. That was when her eyes glimpsed it. Out in the distance, beyond that forest, she could see a small glint of orange- gold light shimmering on the horizon. Keiko smiled. The sun, it was so pretty in the early morning.
She spent a few more minutes starring at the beautiful, morning sight, before she began to climb back down. Just then though, something else caught her eye. She pulled herself back up into her previous position, and squinted. Something was coming . . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yusuke sent another spirit gun attack, which was easily dodged.
"Kane! Get Cimmy, Hiei, Kurama, and Tain out of here!" He ordered without bothering to look back at the healer.
"Nonsense! He'll miss the best part." Kakyai laughed, dodging yet another attack.
Suddenly though, he stopped, and Yusuke, surprised, did too.
"It is time." Spoke the elder demon.
Yusuke narrowed his eyes. "What the hell does THAT mean!?" He questioned.
Kakyai's black eyes glinted.
"Why it's quite simple my boy. You're about to die." He answered cynically.
Before Yusuke could respond, Kakyai began levitating in the air once again. A strange, black aura filled with white lightening vibrated off of him. His white hair took the air again. He began chanting a rhythmic string of foreign words. His voice began to fill the room like thunder trapped in a chest, and the stones began crumbling. Yusuke glanced around for his friends, and saw Kane carrying off Hiei. The rest were already out. He thanked Yama for that blessing.
Suddenly, spots of red mist began appearing scattered all around, and materializing into those disgusting beasts. Kakyai continued chanting, and to Yusuke, his words began to sound like a baritone hum in his ears.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The 'something' that Keiko had saw approaching turned out to be a whole bunch of 'somethings'. She was surprised to recognize a certain horned king, and innumerable soldiers following him. As they drew near, Keiko jumped down from her tree, and landed easily. She sprinted to the gate, throwing it open. Without hesitation, she ran out, her destination was Yomi. She ran full on into the horned youkai, once reaching him, she wrapped her hands tightly around his waist in a huge hug. Yomi, to say the least, was surprised. He wasn't sure exactly what to do, but he lightly wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a nervous embrace. Keiko pulled away then.
"Yomi! Thank God you're here!" She exclaimed.
He nodded, about to open his mouth to speak, but Keiko cut him off.
"We have major problems, and people down, and it's bad! Wait, how did you know to come? I thought you couldn't come." Keiko blurted out.
Yomi blinked, shook his head, and took a deep breath.
"The situation has become far to urgent for me to follow any sort of treaty. I knew to come here because one of my spies dragged the carcass of one of those monsters back to Gandara. Ellena told me something rather alarming. I felt it necessary to be here." He said.
Keiko smiled. "Good timing. Come with me, and I'll explain everything."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The chanting became louder, and a strange wind began to flood the room. It howled loudly, and yet, Kakyai's voice rose above it, strong, and undaunted. An eerie red aura outlines the creatures, and Yusuke gasped as one by one, red lights began to float from their bodies. The lights were their souls. The souls flew from their temporary bodies, leaving the beasts lifeless on the floor, and headed straight towards Kakyai. The first one struck him in the gut, causing him to cry out. Another hit him from behind, and from that point the souls just kept bombarding him. His body absorbed each and every one. Veins pulsed in his neck and forehead; his mouth hung open, emitting screams. Perhaps the most disturbing trait was his eyes, as the obsidian black disappeared along with the pupils. In its place was the color of blood red, which covered the entire eye.
Yusuke cursed. He didn't know what this meant, but he had a feeling that it wasn't a GOOD thing. He had to do something . . . but how do you stop a soul? Easy, you destroy it, but if you destroy it, you destroy the being that it belongs to. Something clicked. Kurama had explained his theory, and if the youkai in the well were dead, what did he have to worry about?
"Yes!" He shouted. "Hey!" He yelled, trying to get the older demon's attention.
Blood red eyes locked onto him, despite the pain and labored breathing. Yusuke smiled in a bittersweet way.
"You obviously think very highly of yourself, don't ya? Think ya got this whole thing nice and planned out perfectly, right? Wrong! You made one fatal error."
"What?" Screamed Kakyai.
Yusuke balled up his fist. "Shotgun!" He shouted.
The room was littered with little streaks of blue light. His ki swarmed the red souls attacking them in mid flight, and destroying them on impact. With each one that was scuttled, Kakyai cried out in even more pain. For once out of the temporary bodies, the souls became a part of him.
Yusuke smiled when each and everyone was destroyed. Kakyai fell to the floor, making an indent. His chest rose and fell slowly, and his eyes diverted back to their original color. Yusuke towered over him, smile gone, and replaced by a look of hatred.
"You hurt my friends you S.O.B, and I'm going to kill you." He stated.
Obsidian eyes went wide, but nothing more, for Yusuke let loose a powerful spirit gun attack, ending his life right then and there. All that was left of the elder demon was a smoldering corpse.
Yusuke starred at him hard, and then his eyes became heavy, and he fell to the ground exhausted. He too was breathing hard.
"Keiko . . . was . . . right . . . to much . . . to soon . . ." He said, and then succumbed to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Keiko ran on ahead of Yomi and his troops, but they all followed her lead. She had already explained to them the details, and Yomi, in turn, explained what he and Ellena had learned. The revelation that he revealed frightened the girl, causing her to break into a sprint. Without so much of an ounce of hesitation, Keiko leapt into the hole, hit the ground, fell, rolled to her side, pushed herself up, and continued running. She was frantic. Suddenly, though, se tripped over something. It was definitely a someone. She panicked more. She couldn't see in the dark, but she knelt down to try and feel who it was. Her hand hit spiky hair.
"Hiei!" She exclaimed. He was out, that much was obvious. "Oh God, um . . . you guys!" She called back to Yomi who was hot on her heels. She heard footsteps coming in the opposite direction of the horned king, and then saw the glowing indigo eyes of Kane.
He knelt down next to Keiko.
"You've brought help, good. I'll wait here for them, you go on ahead, I know you must be anxious to get to Yusuke." He said.
Keiko bit her lip. "Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yes."
She paused. " . . . Is Yusuke."
"I'm afraid I don't know. Kurama, Hiei, and Cimmy were all injured. Yusuke instructed me to get them out of there. I haven't been back since. I wanted to help, but I'm not really a fighter . . . I . . ."
Keiko put her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Kane. Oh yes and Nissa and the others, they're all fine. Just sleeping I think."
And with those few words, Keiko stood up, and ran down the corridor.
She came to the blown out wall, and gasped at the all of the destruction. The well had shattered, causing a few of the decaying pieces of the dead youkai to be scattered about the room. As if that wasn't disgusting enough, there were also the bodies of those weird, gross looking creatures! Keiko gagged, but regained her composure quickly when she caught sight of Yusuke lying still on the floor.
She ran to his side, knelt down, and gathered him into her arms. He was breathing, his pulse was strong enough, and he had a few scratches and potential bruises. Other than that he was okay. Keiko sighed in relief.
"Idiot." She said, but smiled down on him fondly. "I just found you, and you could have gotten yourself killed. How cheated would I feel, hm? You ever think about that? I completely blew off an opportunity to tour the States, get some amazing photos, and write another award winning story, just so I could come here to be with you. Then you almost get yourself killed? You selfish jerk." She said, as if he could hear her.
But perhaps he could, as he shifted slightly in his sleep, and mumbled something. Keiko looked at him, shaking her head fondly. Her eyes then drifted to the singed body clad in black.
"And you must be the bad guy." She said bitterly. "Give Koenma and Botan my love, you son of a bitch."
At that moment, she heard Yomi call her name.
"In here!" She yelled back.
The horned king stepped through the dome along with six or seven soldiers. He looked in disgust at everything, and then came up to Keiko.
"Is he alright?" He asked, looked at Yusuke.
Keiko brushed a few rogue strands of hair from his face. She gazed down at him.
"He'll live." She answered.
Yomi nodded. "We'll gather up the injured, and take them back to Gandara. Everyone can heal there."
Keiko smiled up at him. "Thank you." She replied.
Yomi nodded, and bent down, taking Yusuke into his arms.
"Let's get out of here." He said.
Keiko stood also, and nodded in agreement.
"Let's."
"Move out!" Cried Yomi.
All of the soldiers hustled toward the door in an orderly fashion. Yomi followed his men, and Keiko followed Yomi. However, something made her stop. She turned around to look at the destroyed room. Her eyes fell upon the body of Kakyai. She starred at him hard, and for some unknown reason when he started move, and push himself up, Keiko was not surprised. In fact, she waited until he had hobbled to his feet, and inspected the room. She deliberately cleared her throat. He turned around, startled. Keiko narrowed her eyes.
"Get back on the ground." She said irritably.
She brought her hand up, and concentrated. A purple dagger appeared between her first and middle finger. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the blade flying. It hit him square in the chest, and he fell to the ground, this time, dead for good. Keiko took one last glance at him, and then turned on her heel.
"Time to get the hell out of here." She mumbled, and disappeared down the corridor.
