WARNINGS: New Characters, OOC-ness, etc.
The Stars Revived
~ Chapter One: The Barrier Between Worlds ~
By: Skylar Inari
Kazuto Kuwabara sat easily on the edge of the plush bed he had been offered during the duration of his stay in the Rekai. He'd refused to go into the Makai.
What had startled him was the instant acceptance of his refusal.
It didn't make any sense.
The ferry girl, Botan, had told him that she'd been searching for him for months.
So.why had they given up after such a feeble attempt to get him to go? Why had they wasted so much effort only to give up on the last moment without even trying?
The slender handsome part-demon lay back on his bed. So.why had they tried so hard?
Oh, he hadn't the slightest idea to change his mind and take up the stupid quest. He didn't want to be some pathetic hero who saved the day and received praise and was revered everywhere he went.
All he wanted was to go back home.
But first he'd wait out the week.
Koenma had requested that he remain in the Rekai for a week to re-think his decision. Once the week was over the Prince of the Spirit World had given his word that Kazuto would be ferried back to the ruins of the Ningenkai.
Growling in irritation Kazuto dragged himself off of the soft - almost uncomfortably so - bed and leaving his room, walked in a ground eating stride to the audience chamber through the echoing hallways.
Pausing at the door he hear Koenma talking to somebody. Cracking the huge door open Kazuto peered inside.
"Do you accept the task of going into the Makai and finding Hiei, Kurama, and Yusuke?" Asked Koenma from where he sat on top of his throne.
"I do." A high-pitched clear voice answered the question that Kazuto had refused. Kazuto's deep red eyes sought out the speaker of the answer. His eyes moved looking around the room, finding the owner of the female voice he nearly fell over from shock.
The speaker was no more than a child.
The child was very small and couldn't be over five years of age. She had jet-black hair that framed a pert face and wide green eyes.
Kazuto forced the door all the way open, causing Koenma - in his adult form - to look up from his scrutiny of the tiny being in front of him.
"What is it Kazuto?"
"You can't send a child into the Makai." Kazuto's eyes narrowed as he glared in contempt at Koenma. "It's practically a suicide mission for someone like me who knows how to defend themselves against enemies, but for a child to be sent.that's just sick."
Koenma's eyes deepened as he responded to the open hostility in Kazuto's manner and voice. "We. Have. No. Choice. But. To. Do. So. Kurama. Hiei. And. Yusuke. Must. Be. Found."
"What did you have no choice in? Surely you could find an older person to take on the ridiculous journey to look for people who are probably dead?"
"You don't understand what you are talking about!"
"Then explain it to me." Kazuto got out from between clenched teeth, "Explain to me why my refusal has a little girl accepting the suicide mission!"
"I'm not a little girl." The light airy voice interrupted the steady glares of the two men. The small form placed herself between them. "And since you are two stupid to see it for yourself I'll explain it to you. To make it through the barrier that has been put up around the Makai you must be a direct descendant of one of the last people to go through the barrier. Meaning you have to be related to Yusuke, Hiei, or Kurama to get through the barrier."
Kazuto raised his brilliant red eyes up to meet Koenma's, "Is this true?"
"Yes."
The slender aqua-haired descendant of Kazuma and Yukina turned back to the small dark haired girl. "So whom are you related to?"
The girl smiled, "My name is Aikuri Minamino, I'm related to Kurama."
Kazuto snorted, "Not very likely."
"What do you mean?" The warmth had faded out of Aikuri's voice. "I have the same last name as he did."
"So? As if that means anything." Kazuto replied, "It's a known fact that Kurama has never sired any children so you can't be a direct descendant of his. The closest you can come to being related is through Kurama's human brother, Shuuichi."
"So whom are you related to?" Aikuri asked in a frozen tone.
"My grand-parents are Yukina and Kazuma Kuwabara."
"Well, you aren't any closer than I am to being a direct descendant!" Yelled Aikuri. "You aren't a direct descendant of Hiei, so there! You can't get across the barrier either!"
"As a matter of fact he can." Koenma's voice, now calm, carried over the arguing couple.
"Then why can't I?" Demanded Aikuri Minamino peevishly, green eyes flashing.
"It is a little known fact that Yukina went back into the Makai with her brother after the death of her husband."
"Meaning.ah, crap, you don't mean that I'm the only one who can play hero this time do you?" Kazuto asked plaintively.
Koenma beamed smugly, "That is correct."
"You bastard." Kazuto's eyes narrowed into angry red slits that mirrored the loathing in his voice.
"Whatever do you mean?"
" You knew that I was the only one who could cross the border." It was not a question. Koenma looked positively delighted. "Why yes, I did."
"And if I still refuse to go?"
"Then I guess we'll have to try Aikuri instead."
"You.you." Kazuto's tall slender form shook with rage.
"I'll take that to mean you're going." Koenma's voice was smug.
In a swirl of long aqua hair Kazuto left the room, his red eyes murderous.
"That went rather well didn't it?" Observed Aikuri.
"Yes, it couldn't have gone better." Koenma was silent for a moment, "He's got better control over his emotions than Kazuma ever did doesn't he?"
***
Kazuto packed up the few things he had cared enough about to bring with him. Three books, his katana, and a few spare outfits was all that he needed to survive.
How dare that bastard manipulate him like that?
There was no way that he would have let a child go anywhere near the Makai without.without an army.
Slinging the pack over his shoulder he left the room quickly and headed for the transportation center.
He needed a ride to the Border.
***
"Eh?! You're going?!" Botan looked up at Kazuto in shock, "But you said you wouldn't!" "If it's a choice between letting a child go into that hell hole or me going, I'll go. I will not let a child get murdered because I was too stubborn to say yes." The long aqua hair was now tied up into a ponytail high atop his head leaving only a few strands loose to frame his face.
"I see."Botan answered distractedly, "What was the child's name?"
"Aikuri Minamino."
The ferry girl frowned in thought, her slender fingers playing absently with her hair.
"Is something the matter?" Red eyes deepened.
"What?" Botan shook her head in denial, "Just trying to remember something." She stood up, "Do you have a ride to the border yet?"
"No."
"Well, then. Come on, I'll take you."
***
"Can't you go any slower?!" Yelled Kazuto as he clung to the lithe ferry girl on top of the oar.
"No!" Shouted Botan back into the wind, "If I go any slower we'll be caught by the invaders! They can't see enough to aim when we go really fast."
"Well then, by all means, do go faster!"
***
"Here we are." Botan alighted down upon the barren landscape.
Kazuto slipped off of the oar and looked around, red eyes lit with curiosity. "It doesn't look to dangerous."
"You'll see.the hardest part of the crossing is coming up." Botan pointed to a spot a hundred yards in front of them. "That's where the barrier starts. Everything you see beyond that point from here is an illusion to keep people out."
The part-demon nodded his understanding. "What will I have to do?"
"You have to walk into the barrier and you'll be transported to the testing site where you will be tested to see if you truly are a direct descendant of the last four to go through." Botan replied.
Kazuto Kuwabara narrowed his eyes, "What kind of test?" He asked suspiciously.
"I don't know. I'm not allowed through, remember."
"Alright. I suppose I don't have much of a choice but to go ahead anyway." Kazuto straightened his shoulders bracing himself for the testing and headed towards the barrier he could not yet see.
"Aa! Wait a minute!"
The handsome descendant of Yukina and Kazuma turned back, a mere ten yards from the barrier, and looked at Botan expectantly.
She came running up to him digging franticly through her huge sleeves.
"What is it Botan?"
"I can't, I can't find it!" Her voice was slightly panicky as she continued rummaging through her pink outfit.
"What can't you find?" Asked Kazuto with a tinged of impatience in his voice.
"The summoning device that will allow me to know when you've re-crossed the border so I can come pick you up!" Botan looked up, "It's not in my sleeves! I'm certain that I remembered to bring it though."
"You must have left it back at Koenma's place, just fly back there and get it. I'll wait right here, promise."
"What? Are you sure?" Pink eyes went wide with the suggestion.
"Go." Kazuto sat down upon a smooth topped rock, "I'll sit right here until you get back."
"But - "
"Look, the only place I can go from here is into the Makai and I'm so not going into the Makai without a way to get back out."
"Alright!" Botan mounted her oar, "But you'd better be here when I get back."
***
Kazuto yawned. Botan had been gone an hour already. She had to be on her way back by now.
Stretching he stood up. Boredom had set in.
There was nothing to do but wait.
A soft slither came from behind the large rock he had been sitting on.
Spinning around Kazuto crouched down in a defensive position ready to strike if needed.
"Now, now, we can't have any of that. It's bad manners, isn't boys?"
A loud rumble of agreement came from all sides now.
Crap. How had he been so stupid as to end up being surrounded?
Twenty well-built fiends moved into view on all sides - except for where the barrier started.
Kazuto slowly backed closer to the barrier.
No matter what he had promised Botan, there was no way that he'd be able to defeat twenty monsters. He'd be ripped to shreds.
Inching closer and closer to the barrier he made his decision.
Going into the Makai was safer at the moment than fighting twenty things all stronger than you. At least in the Makai demons were able to be hurt.but the things in front of him, he'd seen one in New York get shot right through the head and it just laughed and ripped the shooter to shreds.
He'd survive in the Makai, he'd die here.
"Hey, boss! I think he's trying to make a run for it!"
Kazuto bolted the last five yards to the barrier. It flared up all colors of the rainbow. Deep green light surrounded him and he disappeared.
***
.. He's strong.
Is he strong enough to face Fate's tasks though?
Not at this point.but the potential is there.
When he truly Awakens.what will happen then?
It'll be up to him.
I don't like leaving such important choices to children.
Hush, he's young but very mature.He'll do fine.
If he survives this first task.
Oh, he will. I have every faith in him.
You always did like to side with losers.
On another point, is he suitable to go through?
You know he is.
So he's not entirely a loser.
Not yet.but he will be.
You always were way too pessimistic.
And you are still way too optimistic.
Ha ha, very funny.
Why, thank you.
***
He was lying on thick lush grass.
That was enough to fully wake Kazuto up. The place he'd last been in had been barren. Slowly he remembered what had transpired.the invaders and the brilliant flash of green light.
Had he been tested?
Well, he supposed he passed. He certainly wasn't in the Rekai anymore and the Ningenkai had no more lush area's like this one left since it had been conquered.
Checking to see that his pack was securely fastened, Kazuto pushed himself to his feet and moved into the wild forest in front of him.
He'd do what he promised first and think about getting back to the Rekai later.
~Owari~
.Well, that didn't take to long too write.
The Stars Revived
~ Chapter One: The Barrier Between Worlds ~
By: Skylar Inari
Kazuto Kuwabara sat easily on the edge of the plush bed he had been offered during the duration of his stay in the Rekai. He'd refused to go into the Makai.
What had startled him was the instant acceptance of his refusal.
It didn't make any sense.
The ferry girl, Botan, had told him that she'd been searching for him for months.
So.why had they given up after such a feeble attempt to get him to go? Why had they wasted so much effort only to give up on the last moment without even trying?
The slender handsome part-demon lay back on his bed. So.why had they tried so hard?
Oh, he hadn't the slightest idea to change his mind and take up the stupid quest. He didn't want to be some pathetic hero who saved the day and received praise and was revered everywhere he went.
All he wanted was to go back home.
But first he'd wait out the week.
Koenma had requested that he remain in the Rekai for a week to re-think his decision. Once the week was over the Prince of the Spirit World had given his word that Kazuto would be ferried back to the ruins of the Ningenkai.
Growling in irritation Kazuto dragged himself off of the soft - almost uncomfortably so - bed and leaving his room, walked in a ground eating stride to the audience chamber through the echoing hallways.
Pausing at the door he hear Koenma talking to somebody. Cracking the huge door open Kazuto peered inside.
"Do you accept the task of going into the Makai and finding Hiei, Kurama, and Yusuke?" Asked Koenma from where he sat on top of his throne.
"I do." A high-pitched clear voice answered the question that Kazuto had refused. Kazuto's deep red eyes sought out the speaker of the answer. His eyes moved looking around the room, finding the owner of the female voice he nearly fell over from shock.
The speaker was no more than a child.
The child was very small and couldn't be over five years of age. She had jet-black hair that framed a pert face and wide green eyes.
Kazuto forced the door all the way open, causing Koenma - in his adult form - to look up from his scrutiny of the tiny being in front of him.
"What is it Kazuto?"
"You can't send a child into the Makai." Kazuto's eyes narrowed as he glared in contempt at Koenma. "It's practically a suicide mission for someone like me who knows how to defend themselves against enemies, but for a child to be sent.that's just sick."
Koenma's eyes deepened as he responded to the open hostility in Kazuto's manner and voice. "We. Have. No. Choice. But. To. Do. So. Kurama. Hiei. And. Yusuke. Must. Be. Found."
"What did you have no choice in? Surely you could find an older person to take on the ridiculous journey to look for people who are probably dead?"
"You don't understand what you are talking about!"
"Then explain it to me." Kazuto got out from between clenched teeth, "Explain to me why my refusal has a little girl accepting the suicide mission!"
"I'm not a little girl." The light airy voice interrupted the steady glares of the two men. The small form placed herself between them. "And since you are two stupid to see it for yourself I'll explain it to you. To make it through the barrier that has been put up around the Makai you must be a direct descendant of one of the last people to go through the barrier. Meaning you have to be related to Yusuke, Hiei, or Kurama to get through the barrier."
Kazuto raised his brilliant red eyes up to meet Koenma's, "Is this true?"
"Yes."
The slender aqua-haired descendant of Kazuma and Yukina turned back to the small dark haired girl. "So whom are you related to?"
The girl smiled, "My name is Aikuri Minamino, I'm related to Kurama."
Kazuto snorted, "Not very likely."
"What do you mean?" The warmth had faded out of Aikuri's voice. "I have the same last name as he did."
"So? As if that means anything." Kazuto replied, "It's a known fact that Kurama has never sired any children so you can't be a direct descendant of his. The closest you can come to being related is through Kurama's human brother, Shuuichi."
"So whom are you related to?" Aikuri asked in a frozen tone.
"My grand-parents are Yukina and Kazuma Kuwabara."
"Well, you aren't any closer than I am to being a direct descendant!" Yelled Aikuri. "You aren't a direct descendant of Hiei, so there! You can't get across the barrier either!"
"As a matter of fact he can." Koenma's voice, now calm, carried over the arguing couple.
"Then why can't I?" Demanded Aikuri Minamino peevishly, green eyes flashing.
"It is a little known fact that Yukina went back into the Makai with her brother after the death of her husband."
"Meaning.ah, crap, you don't mean that I'm the only one who can play hero this time do you?" Kazuto asked plaintively.
Koenma beamed smugly, "That is correct."
"You bastard." Kazuto's eyes narrowed into angry red slits that mirrored the loathing in his voice.
"Whatever do you mean?"
" You knew that I was the only one who could cross the border." It was not a question. Koenma looked positively delighted. "Why yes, I did."
"And if I still refuse to go?"
"Then I guess we'll have to try Aikuri instead."
"You.you." Kazuto's tall slender form shook with rage.
"I'll take that to mean you're going." Koenma's voice was smug.
In a swirl of long aqua hair Kazuto left the room, his red eyes murderous.
"That went rather well didn't it?" Observed Aikuri.
"Yes, it couldn't have gone better." Koenma was silent for a moment, "He's got better control over his emotions than Kazuma ever did doesn't he?"
***
Kazuto packed up the few things he had cared enough about to bring with him. Three books, his katana, and a few spare outfits was all that he needed to survive.
How dare that bastard manipulate him like that?
There was no way that he would have let a child go anywhere near the Makai without.without an army.
Slinging the pack over his shoulder he left the room quickly and headed for the transportation center.
He needed a ride to the Border.
***
"Eh?! You're going?!" Botan looked up at Kazuto in shock, "But you said you wouldn't!" "If it's a choice between letting a child go into that hell hole or me going, I'll go. I will not let a child get murdered because I was too stubborn to say yes." The long aqua hair was now tied up into a ponytail high atop his head leaving only a few strands loose to frame his face.
"I see."Botan answered distractedly, "What was the child's name?"
"Aikuri Minamino."
The ferry girl frowned in thought, her slender fingers playing absently with her hair.
"Is something the matter?" Red eyes deepened.
"What?" Botan shook her head in denial, "Just trying to remember something." She stood up, "Do you have a ride to the border yet?"
"No."
"Well, then. Come on, I'll take you."
***
"Can't you go any slower?!" Yelled Kazuto as he clung to the lithe ferry girl on top of the oar.
"No!" Shouted Botan back into the wind, "If I go any slower we'll be caught by the invaders! They can't see enough to aim when we go really fast."
"Well then, by all means, do go faster!"
***
"Here we are." Botan alighted down upon the barren landscape.
Kazuto slipped off of the oar and looked around, red eyes lit with curiosity. "It doesn't look to dangerous."
"You'll see.the hardest part of the crossing is coming up." Botan pointed to a spot a hundred yards in front of them. "That's where the barrier starts. Everything you see beyond that point from here is an illusion to keep people out."
The part-demon nodded his understanding. "What will I have to do?"
"You have to walk into the barrier and you'll be transported to the testing site where you will be tested to see if you truly are a direct descendant of the last four to go through." Botan replied.
Kazuto Kuwabara narrowed his eyes, "What kind of test?" He asked suspiciously.
"I don't know. I'm not allowed through, remember."
"Alright. I suppose I don't have much of a choice but to go ahead anyway." Kazuto straightened his shoulders bracing himself for the testing and headed towards the barrier he could not yet see.
"Aa! Wait a minute!"
The handsome descendant of Yukina and Kazuma turned back, a mere ten yards from the barrier, and looked at Botan expectantly.
She came running up to him digging franticly through her huge sleeves.
"What is it Botan?"
"I can't, I can't find it!" Her voice was slightly panicky as she continued rummaging through her pink outfit.
"What can't you find?" Asked Kazuto with a tinged of impatience in his voice.
"The summoning device that will allow me to know when you've re-crossed the border so I can come pick you up!" Botan looked up, "It's not in my sleeves! I'm certain that I remembered to bring it though."
"You must have left it back at Koenma's place, just fly back there and get it. I'll wait right here, promise."
"What? Are you sure?" Pink eyes went wide with the suggestion.
"Go." Kazuto sat down upon a smooth topped rock, "I'll sit right here until you get back."
"But - "
"Look, the only place I can go from here is into the Makai and I'm so not going into the Makai without a way to get back out."
"Alright!" Botan mounted her oar, "But you'd better be here when I get back."
***
Kazuto yawned. Botan had been gone an hour already. She had to be on her way back by now.
Stretching he stood up. Boredom had set in.
There was nothing to do but wait.
A soft slither came from behind the large rock he had been sitting on.
Spinning around Kazuto crouched down in a defensive position ready to strike if needed.
"Now, now, we can't have any of that. It's bad manners, isn't boys?"
A loud rumble of agreement came from all sides now.
Crap. How had he been so stupid as to end up being surrounded?
Twenty well-built fiends moved into view on all sides - except for where the barrier started.
Kazuto slowly backed closer to the barrier.
No matter what he had promised Botan, there was no way that he'd be able to defeat twenty monsters. He'd be ripped to shreds.
Inching closer and closer to the barrier he made his decision.
Going into the Makai was safer at the moment than fighting twenty things all stronger than you. At least in the Makai demons were able to be hurt.but the things in front of him, he'd seen one in New York get shot right through the head and it just laughed and ripped the shooter to shreds.
He'd survive in the Makai, he'd die here.
"Hey, boss! I think he's trying to make a run for it!"
Kazuto bolted the last five yards to the barrier. It flared up all colors of the rainbow. Deep green light surrounded him and he disappeared.
***
.. He's strong.
Is he strong enough to face Fate's tasks though?
Not at this point.but the potential is there.
When he truly Awakens.what will happen then?
It'll be up to him.
I don't like leaving such important choices to children.
Hush, he's young but very mature.He'll do fine.
If he survives this first task.
Oh, he will. I have every faith in him.
You always did like to side with losers.
On another point, is he suitable to go through?
You know he is.
So he's not entirely a loser.
Not yet.but he will be.
You always were way too pessimistic.
And you are still way too optimistic.
Ha ha, very funny.
Why, thank you.
***
He was lying on thick lush grass.
That was enough to fully wake Kazuto up. The place he'd last been in had been barren. Slowly he remembered what had transpired.the invaders and the brilliant flash of green light.
Had he been tested?
Well, he supposed he passed. He certainly wasn't in the Rekai anymore and the Ningenkai had no more lush area's like this one left since it had been conquered.
Checking to see that his pack was securely fastened, Kazuto pushed himself to his feet and moved into the wild forest in front of him.
He'd do what he promised first and think about getting back to the Rekai later.
~Owari~
.Well, that didn't take to long too write.