Trials of the Soul: Chapter Six
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.


"You three are far too dense and trusting of people," mocked Akuma, "and that will be your downfall." She turned to the soldiers around her and barked an order in a foreign dialect. "Remember," she switched back to an understandable tongue, "Kamishi-sama wants them alive. No fatal wounds." She smirked and backed away as the armored soldiers advanced on the group of three, surrounding them.

The three stood back-to-back, keeping a close eye on the closest demons. Hiei and Angel both unsheathed their swords while Kurama reached into his hair and pulled out a perfect red rose. He extended the rose out and it snapped into a thorn-covered whip. They prepared themselves for an onslaught.

At first, all the soldiers did was circle them, closing them in, but all of a sudden, as if on cue, they jumped the three demons in the center. Kurama, Hiei and Angel soon found out that their attackers were not normal soldiers that were weak and dispensable. No, the demons sent to capture them were bounty hunters and hired assassins, highly trained and quite capable of completing the task at hand. They were in trouble.

"What's the matter?" teased Akuma, "Scared?" Then she laughed. "You should be. What my lord wants, he gets. And right now, he wants Evangeline."

By now the soldiers had divided themselves into three groups of four, one group for each demon. What was truly amazing was that each group of attackers seemed to complement its individual target. The four in combat with Hiei were all water demons with mastery of the sword. They were all extremely fast, to all appearances matching the fire demon's speed. Those after Kurama were masters of fire and plants. While the plant wielders did not possess the power and knowledge to overcome Kurama's control, they held their own just long enough for the fire masters to burn away his plants of destruction. Angel's attackers were the worst. Because of her unique combination of powers, it would have been difficult to pinpoint her weakness by countering her elemental abilities. That was why not only was her group consisted of all three of her elements - fire, water, and earth - but it also contained a psychic. Angel may have been strong physically but she was not experienced enough to fight against a mental attack. And that was her biggest weakness.

"Can we please hurry this up?" Akuma yawned as one of the demons slashed at Hiei's chest. Luckily, Hiei jumped away in time. "Kamishi-sama is a busy man and does not like to be kept waiting."

Kurama was actually doing quite well. Although he was at a slight disadvantage at the beginning of the battle, he was able to outsmart them and managed to dispose of two of his attackers. However, he was getting tired while the remaining two only seemed slightly winded. He risked a glance over to Hiei and saw that he, too, was slowing down. Of his group, only one remained, but that one appeared to be the leader of the pack, the most skilled of them all. After nearly dodging a blast of fire, Kurama looked over to study Angel's progress with her enemies. Within a second, the redhead could see that something was wrong.

Angel's skin was pale and her breathing came in ragged gasps. She could barely stand, much less evade the oncoming attacks from the two remaining soldiers surrounding her. The weakening girl dodged blow after blow, each assault getting closer and closer to connecting. Then she suddenly collapsed, clutching her head in pain and agony. A bloodcurdling scream filled the city. Angel wreathed and writhed while her youki went on the fritz. Fire erupted around her, soon to be dowsed by a downpour of water. Shortly after the flames disappeared, the plants began to sprout and strive, sucking up all the water in the soil. And as suddenly as it all began, it stopped, leaving Angel powerless and unconscious before her enemies. The soldiers seized her within seconds.

"Angel!" screamed Kurama. He moved to attack her closest captor but stopped when one of them put a sword to her throat. That was enough of a distraction to ensure his capture as well.

"Sentiments are a weakness," said Akuma, "I thought you would've learned that with all your years in the Makai, Kurama." She then turned over to Hiei, who had witnessed both their arrests but did not stop fighting. "Well, Hiei? Will you stop or should I kill your pretty little redhead here?" Akuma raised the point of a sword to Kurama's heart.

Hiei was at a standoff. He could not let his fox die but he could not trust Akuma. What if he surrendered and she killed both of them anyway? She did say that her master only wanted Angel.

"Tick-tock, Hiei." To emphasize her point, she applied a little pressure on the sword, forcing an inch of the tip into Kurama's chest, drawing some blood and pain from the kitsune.

At that, Hiei stopped attacking and stood still, sword still in hand but not moving. His attacker also stopped his movements.

"Now that's a good boy," praised Akuma, "Sheathe your sword and toss it over here." Hiei could do nothing but obey. As soon as the sword and scabbard left his hand, the nearest soldier captured and warded him, binding his physical being and his demonic energies. The same was done with Kurama and Angel.

"Take those two to Kamishi-sama's dungeon," Akuma commanded, pointing to Kurama and Hiei. Then she turned around and walked over to the soldiers handling Angel. "She will go to my lord's throne room. He will be most pleased with the results and will reward you all handsomely." She smiled.

* * * * *

A man sat silently on a throne, surround only by candlelight and cold stone. His golden hair shined brilliantly even in the low light and his eyes glimmered secretively. He was beautiful to say the least but he did not pride himself on his looks. No, Kamishi knew he was destined to be more than just the king of a small kingdom in the outskirts of the Makai. With a name that meant "first son of God," he was meant to hold power like no other. His glory was foretold within the Prophecy and he intended to see that Prophecy come true. A smile appeared when a knock was sounded on the throne room door.

"Enter," he commanded.

The door opened, revealing Akuma, two armor-clad soldiers and the now conscious Angel, the prize from the battle. The shape-shifter and the soldiers walked towards the throne, dragging their bound and warded captor along. They finally stopped two feet away from their king and knelt. Akuma was the first to look up to gaze upon the face of her lord.

"Sire, we have brought you your prize," Akuma said. Kamishi gestured for her to stand and so she did. "As you can see, she is unharmed, just as you had ordered."

"Yes, excellent," the king said, studying Angel's every feature, "You had done well." He turned his attention to the two soldiers holding the girl. "You two may leave. The reward for her capture is in the treasure room. I have also added a little something extra to repay you for your good service."

The two rose from their position, bowed one last time to their lord and left the room, closing the down behind them. Angel now stood alone before her hunter and his loyal servant. She said nothing but instead stared defiantly into Kamishi's eyes. She did not try to struggle or escape from her bonds; she knew that the wards were far too powerful for her to break in her current state. So she waited and watched.

"You're probably wondering why I went through the trouble of bringing you here," said Kamishi.

Bringing me here? Angel thought.

"Oh yes, I brought you here," he continued, "Akuma, under my command, sent to the Oracle. I knew that the fire demon would never have walked in here without a more reliable source than Akuma. And once you reached the temple, the Oracle told you to come here."

"So do you control the Oracle as well?" asked Angel bitterly. How could I have been so trusting?

"Of course not," he answered, "The Oracle follows no commands except for those of the gods. No, the Oracle you saw was a mere trickery." He then pointed to Akuma, whose form shimmered and transformed to that of the woman they saw at the temple: the Oracle. "Having a shape-shifter loyal to you is such a valuable asset, don't you think?" He smirked at Angel's expression, which showed just a slight evidence of shock.

"You still haven't told me why you want me."

"Ah yes. Even if you did not meet the true Oracle, she does exist. And I went to her long ago, seeking my destiny from her." Kamishi walked over to one of the stone walls and on it hanged a parchment with some writing on it. "It was then that I learned of the Prophecy, our Prophecy.

A child of water, fire and earth,

Born not from flesh but from blood,

Shall one day lead Syrona to greatness

Or destruction.

Her soul shall determine her destiny.

"If you haven't already guessed, that child is you."

"And what do you intend to do with me."

"Isn't it obvious? I intend to use you to conquer all of Ningenkai."

End of Chapter Six


Ah, the plot finally appeared. Didn't think it'd happen, did ya? ^_~ Anyway, only about 2-3 chapters left. Hope you're still liking it. Please review!