Trials of the Soul: Chapter Five
by: Kawaii Kitsune

Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho and all the characters in the wonderful show do not belong to me, blah, blah, blah. You get the point. No money, don't sue, blah, blah, blah. Moving on.

Note: italics indicate thoughts.


"Angel, it's okay," said Kurama, "It's only us."

But Angel's eyes did not dim. Nor did the flames around her. She raised her ki and a wall of fire erupted behind Kurama and Hiei, burning their tent and blocking their escape.

"What are you doing?" asked Hiei as a fireball flew his way. Has she betrayed us already? "Stop!"

Angel's face scrunched up in deep concentration, fighting an invisible battle within her. "I can't!" exclaimed the girl, "It's beyond my control!" Another fireball was let loose.

Hiei growled low in his throat as he prepared to dispose of the problem, but Kurama stopped him.

"Hiei, don't."

"She'll destroy us all."

"I won't let you kill her."

"Then what do you propose we do?"

"Wait for my signal and then knock her out."

Hiei was about to protest but Kurama was already on the move. The redhead jumped high in the air and twisted acrobatically to avoid the fireballs coming his way. Due to the elaborate mid-air twists and turns, Angel failed to notice the seeds that the fox throw at her feet. As soon as Kurama landed, the seeds began to sprout and grow into vines, entangling the girl and immobilizing her. Angel became momentarily disoriented and distracted.

"Hiei, now!"

A blur of black and Angel was unconscious yet again. The fires, starved of the youki that fed them, eventually died down and went out.

"You didn't hurt her, did you?" Kurama asked as he approached Hiei and the now sleeping Angel.

"I hit her with the hilt of my sword," replied Hiei as he sheathed his katana, "Don't worry, she'll live," he added in a mocking tone.

Neither of them sensed the presence of a pair of eyes watching them from the trees above.

* * * * *

"What news of our trio?"

"Sire, there were some...difficulties."

"What sort of difficulties?"

"It seems that some worthless demon scum almost ruined all of your plans."

"Oh? Do explain."

"They somehow penetrated the protective barrier that Kurama created and managed to get themselves killed. Angel showed no mercy for them."

"I fail to see your point."

"She lost control of her powers and nearly destroyed them all, herself included."

"I see... We'll have to speed up the plans, then. We can't have any more mishaps like this."

"Yes, sire."

* * * * *

No one spoke of the incident as they left the camp area early the next morning. Not a word was whispered during the hike up the mountains and the trip down the slopes. There was complete silence when they stopped for a breather and the silence continued through the forests and plains.

"We're here," Kurama stated, speaking the first words of the day.

The area was a wasteland, fitting of its name, barren and desolate. No plants grew and no water flowed. The land was completely devoid of life. In the center of the land, though, stood a small temple. Lacking in decorations and ornaments, it was a simple white building that represented life in the midst of all the death.

"Let's get going," said the fox, "The Oracle must be inside." They all complied and made their way towards the temple. Once inside, they noticed that the interior was far from the exterior. The floors were of pure marble, along with the columns, statues, and fountains that decorated the room. At the end of the room stood a golden throne, placed on top of a beautiful Venetian rug. Two lovely young maidens attended to the elegant woman seated in the throne.

The woman, the Oracle, was dressed in simple robes but that only seemed to enhance her beauty and radiance. Her hair was that of the sun and they cascaded down her back in lush curls. Her eyes reflected the color of the sky, crystal and blue. Her cheeks were rosy pink, signs of her youth, and her lips were redder than blood. Those lips curled up into a smile when she saw the three travelers.

"Welcome," the Oracle said in a melodious voice, "I have been expecting you."

"Then I presume you know why we have come," said Kurama.

"Of course," she replied, "You wish to know the fate of your daughter." The Oracle glanced over at Angel with an interested look. "And if there's any way to alter her fate. Am I correct?"

"Hai," the fox replied.

"I'll cut to the chase now and tell you what you wish to know." She shifted slightly in her seat to get more comfortable. "If your daughter remains in the state she is in now, she will die within a week. That is her unfortunate fate. But, if you choose to fight fate, there is one hope. I have heard of a miracle drug that exists in a kingdom north of here called Syrona, a drug that can cure any maladies. It's her only chance."

"We thank you for your help," Kurama spoke for all of them, "We shall take our leave now."

The Oracle watched them intently as they left, smiling a secretive little smile.

* * * * *

"How can we trust her?" Hiei, the ever-suspicious demon, had had a bad feeling since the beginning. "We're relying too much on what Akuma and that Oracle woman are saying."

"Hiei," said Kurama, "if I do recall, it was your idea to go to Akuma in the first place. I assumed you trusted her."

"Since you were so insistent in saving Angel, Akuma was the only choice," Hiei said matter-of-factly, "You should know by now that I don't trust easily."

"Believe, Hiei, I know," Kurama said with a small smirk, "I know."

Angel remained silent through the entire ordeal, lost in her thoughts. She barely registered the Oracle's answer or the conversation between her two fathers because of the struggle within her head. I could have killed them, she thought, It went beyond my control and I could have killed us all. I can't let that happen again. Her mind reeled. But what if I can't prevent it? That possibility scared her more than anything ever had. I can't lose control again.

"Angel, did you hear me?" Kurama's voice broke her musings.

The girl slightly shook her head to clear it of lingering thoughts. "No, what did you say, Kurama-san?"

"I said that Syrona is just over those hills. If we travel nonstop, we'll reach it a few hours after nightfall. Are you willing to make the entire trip today or should we camp somewhere for the night and continue tomorrow?"

"I wish to reach Syrona as soon as possible," Angel responded.

"Then it's settled," Kurama said, "Let's get going."

* * * * *

"Sire, the next phase of the plan has been completed."

"Excellent. You've performed you role with precision and expertise. After I reach my destiny, you will be greatly rewarded."

"Nothing could be a greater reward than to serve you by your side, sire."

The master smiled at his servant. "Don't worry, I intend to keep you around for a long time. Someone of your loyalty and talent should not go wasted. Now, let's wait for our puppets to walk into our trap. Prepare yourself to greet our guests." A deep resounding laugh echoed in the room.

* * * * *

They reached the kingdom walls three hours after the setting of the sun. The land became dark and cold but they did not bother the trio. They passed by the unguarded gates silently and entered into the kingdom. It was more like a city than a kingdom as it was rather small in size. To pass through the streets without attracting too much attention, each of the three put on black hooded cloaks to hide their distinguishing appearances.

"I suggest we split up and ask around about this miracle drug," Kurama said.

Hiei didn't like the sound of leaving his fox wandering alone in a strange city. Too many things could happen. He never got a chance to voice his objection, however.

"Ah, just the three that I've been expecting." A female figure stood in front of them, surrounded by a dozen demons in armor. They looked like the guards of a castle. The girl had jet-black hair that was pulled back into a braid, which ended a little below her shoulder blades. Her eyes were the deepest blues they had ever seen, intense and piercing. What was odd about them was that the colors would shift every now and then, going from dark to light and then back to dark again.

"Who the hell are you?" demanded Hiei, hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Don't you recognize me?" the girl said while putting a hand over her mouth, feigning surprise, "I suppose you've never seen me in this form before." Then, suddenly, her entire body shimmered and changed, her form now of someone new but familiar to the trio. "Now do you know me?"

"Akuma!"

End of Chapter Five


This chapter went a little bit longer than I expected so I'm pushing the Prophecy to the next chapter. Gomen. But hey, I revealed more of the plot. That's good, ne? Ne? Ahem, anyway, please do review; I worked hard to crank out this chapter in such a short time. Thanks to all those who have already reviewed for the previous chapters! You're the reason I continue writing. ^_^