Of Demons and Roses
Chapter 9: Playing Mom, Playing Dad
Night had come and almost gone. It was now the early hours of the morning, with sunrise not far away. Nobara was still out training. Hiei was still of the roof keeping an eye on her. Kurama was inside playing wife, trying to keep his mind off of what he knew was coming. He knew that his daughter was going to face off against Kokuei. Kurama has confidence in Nobara, but he still couldn't help but worry. After all, Nobara is still his daughter!
//Here I go playing mom again! Heh, I guess I can't help it. I know Hiei's worried too. He just has his own way of showing it. He's been on that rooftop ever since we got back. He is a good father! And a good husband!//
Kurama smiled at his thoughts. He trusts that their family will be fine. They will make it through this!
Hiei stood alone with his thoughts on the roof. He hadn't left his "post" since Nobara went off to train. Playing the watchful father has become one of Hiei's greatest talents. He doesn't show it a lot, but he cares greatly for his only daughter, and he would risk his life to protect her.
Nobara hadn't taken a single break since she went on her own. She did some target practice using rocks until there was none. Then she worked on improving her speed. After that, she practiced her skill with her staff until she had every trick, every move, everything perfect.
Then, Nobara worked on combinations of the skills she perfected earlier. She trained until she had every combination she could think of perfect. After hours of training, practicing and perfecting, Nobara finally took a rest break. She lay down in some grasses to collect and restore her spirit energy.
"Niji... I'll make sure you can rest in peace. I'll kill the one who killed you. I promise!" said Nobara to the now morning sky. She stared at the blue morning sky and seemed to be deep in thought. She thought of all her memories with her late friend.
Nobara's thoughts were interrupted by her senses. There was defiantly somebody coming. Nobara looked around, trying to pinpoint the exact position of the approaching person. This was a difficult task because it seemed that he was all around her.
"I know you're there! Why don't you come out of hiding?" Nobara yelled to the hidden person.
//Is it Kokuei? It's gotta be!//
Suddenly, the energy finally gathered in one place and Kokuei appeared from the shadows. This caught Hiei's attention and he started to run towards Nobara.
"Kurama! It's Kokuei! He's after Nobara again!" Hiei yell as he ran off. Kurama heard from inside and started to run too, not far behind Hiei.
"Ready to fight Kokuei?" asked Nobara in a fierce tone.
Kokuei said nothing. He lifted his finger and waved it in a "no" manor. He then opened his eyes and moved in towards Nobara. She almost lost sight of him as he circles around her.
//Damn! He's fast!//
He then moved in to Nobara from behind, covering her mouth so she couldn't speak and holding her down so she couldn't fight back.
//He's strong too! He was hiding his spirit energy when he appeared all those times before! I think I'm in trouble. Otosan... Kasan... where are you? I need your help!!!//
"Almost," whispered Kokuei into Nobara's ear. Then he lifted one arm and struck Nobara in the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious.
Kurama and Hiei arrived too late. Kokuei already made the first move. Kokuei saw Nobara's parents arrive and turned to them.
"Kokuei! Give her back!" yelled Hiei. Both he and Kurama were ready to fight.
"You'll get her back. Meet me at the old abonded warehouse at nightfall. We settle all this then," said Kokuei, acting as if he were playing a game.
"She better be alive Kokuei," said Kurama.
"Or you're death will be slow and painful," said Hiei.
"Oh she'll be fine. After all, she will be fighting as well," said Kokuei with laughter. He went off into the shadows with Nobara, leaving Kurama and Hiei without their daughter.