Hiruiseki will be ending in two chapters. I still haven't quite decided if I want to make a sequel for it...keep in mind if I do, it will only be ONE sequel, instead of a series like Densetsu no Kagami, got that? I think that'd just kill me, and as I have a math final tomorrow...x.x And I currently have six minutes to type this, but you don't know that.
...Make that five. Okay, when we last left off, Chuu was terrifying his passengers as he drove to the rescue...Kaeru and Yukina managed to free the prisoners, but now Zenkai himself is taking charge! And what about Hiei and Kuronue? *wince*
"Kuronue-san...?" Kaeru seemed rather stunned as the chimera grinned crookedly down at his armful.
"Hey, taking this job means protecting you..." Kuronue smirked. "I figure this counts." His eyes softened. "I promise I won't leave you to this bastard."
His small charge nodded silently, then flinched when Zenkai's chilly voice washed over the two of them.
"You don't interfere with Zenkai." He said this very calmly and patiently, as if he were mildly scolding a very young child. Which Kuronue most definitely was not.
"Yeah?" he challenged, bristling. "Well, I AM!"
Hiei couldn't suppress a smirk at the chimera's cocky attitude. Yukina looked impressed. And Zenkai just looked slightly annoyed.
"There's only one way to get rid of you then...prepare to live out your worst nightmare!"
Before Kuronue could figure out what he had meant, an orb of crackling blue light left Zenkai's hand and sped towards him. Cursing bitterly, he hunched over, still holding Kaeru protectively. When the orb hit...it didn't exactly HURT, but it felt rather strange...and then everything dissolved into darkness.
He was floating...and then, abruptly, he found himself running alongside a young man with silvery hair and fox ears of the same color.
"Kurama..." Kuronue whispered, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. His former partner clutched a shiny mirror to his side as the two flew along the ground, fleeing...his pointed ears could detect faint voices in the distance, angry and jabbering wildly.
"The King, they've stolen the King's..."
The chimera was soon caught up in the moment. Kurama glanced sideways at his fellow thief, silently urging him to greater speeds.
And then it happened. His Makai bloodstone, the crimson pendant Kuronue always carried around his neck...the chain snapped, and it drifted backwards. Eyes widening in horror and muttering a "No!" under his breath, the thief turned on his heel quickly, bounding after it.
"Don't, Kuronue!" Kurama cried, whirling.
"I need it!" Came the chimera's reply as he dashed towards it. With a sigh of satisfaction, he bent down to pick it up-and heard a whistling sound from right above him. He looked up...razor-sharp bamboo stakes were hurtling down.
Kuronue froze-violet eyes fixed on his impending doom. But then, something happened.
A draft of cold air rushed past him, meeting with the stakes and freezing them solidly. One by one, they hit the ground, rendered harmless.
"...What..." Not quite sure what had just occurred, Kuronue turned his head and looked down.
Standing there, head tilted slightly, the chilly breeze ruffling sea-green tresses, was a Koorime. She was a rather cute specimen of the Ice Maiden race, and her ruby eyes were fixed on Kuronue's own purple ones.
"Kuronue-san, daijoubu?"
"Huh?" He responded, somewhat stupidly. Did he KNOW this Koorime? She obviously knew who HE was, and apparently, she had just saved his life.
Her thin brows knitted together. "Kuronue-san, this isn't real! This is one of Zenkai's powers-to trap someone in the worst experience of their life, and make them relive it."
Kuronue was having a bit of a problem comprehending what this girl was telling him. "Not real...?"
"Hai."
"So...you're not real either?"
She blinked. "I'M real! Don't you remember, Kuronue-san??" A small, pale hand hesitantly reached out, catching hold of his black leather shirt and tugging gently.
Ignoring Kurama's urgent calls to hurry up, the chimera knelt, staring into the Ice Maiden's crimson eyes. Now that she mentioned it, she DID look somewhat familiar...an image of a Koorime sitting up in bed, silently crying...
"...Kaeru?"
Her eyes lit up and she relinquished her grip on his shirt. "You remember now?"
"I think so...Shimatta, ZENKAI!!" Kuronue grasped Kaeru's small shoulders. "Do you know how to get out of here?"
Hardly had those words been spoken then both youkai found themselves back in the dungeon, slightly stunned.
Zenkai eyed them, scowling. "What the HELL does it take for you to die?" he snapped. "How did you escape?"
The chimera smirked, standing up. "While I'd love to take credit for breaking your crap spell, I have a certain Koorime to thank."
"I do what I can," Kaeru said modestly.
"Ah...interfering little bitch." Zenkai returned to his former stoic attitude. "Very well, then. I see the only way to truly destroy you is to first annihilate everything you hold dear." He raised his left hand, a bright red light rapidly gathering in the center of his callused palm. "Let's see, now..." Abruptly, the light shot straight for Kaeru, who braced herself. But it never hit.
It was as if all of it was happening in slow motion. Kuronue facing the attack head-on, defiantly, arms spread out as if to block it. The light smacking into his chest. The chimera being blown backwards and smacking into the stone wall with a great deal of force, hitting the ground with a thud after a sickening crack announced the painful breaking of one of his wings. And then he didn't move at all.
Kaeru didn't have time to fully register this, because the next moment, Yukina had also been tossed carelessly against the wall, crumpling to the floor with a cry.
Hiei dodged the light that Zenkai hurled at him, crimson eyes widening in shock. "...Y...Y...Yukina!!" The sight of his sweet little sister, a trickle of blood oozing down her face, was something he'd never forget.
The Ice Maiden ran over to Kuronue, stumbling slightly, and falling to her knees beside him, running gentle fingers over his wing and doing the best she could to correct the twisted angle. "...Kuro...Kuronue-san, wake up!" There was no response from the motionless chimera. Not even a twitch. She couldn't even detect any life energy left in his body.
Kaeru's eyes stung, and she knew tears were soon to come. "You PROMISED!!" she cried, pounding his chest angrily with her clenched hand. "You promised me...you can't be...Kuronue-saaaaaan!" As she had predicted, several tear-gems clattered to the cold floor. And then she heard something...a low sob.
Raising her head slightly, the Koorime saw Hiei cradling Yukina against him, eyes closed and shoulders heaving. And then she saw something sparkle from the corner of his lid, hitting the ground with a clink, and rolling towards her. A tear-gem.
"...Hiruiseki..." Kaeru whispered, and then her eyes darkened.
"You...BASTARD." Hiei carefully stepped away from Yukina, black fire wreathing his right arm. With a jerk of his hand, the black overrobe was gone, and Hiei was crouching down into a strange stance, the bandages on the afore-mentioned arm disintegrating as the flame raced along it.
"I will not let you live," the Jaganshi stated bitterly. Golden light wrapped around his form, pulsing in response to the dark flames.
Zenkai chuckled coolly. "YOU think you can defeat ME? You don't have the power!"
"Nani??" Hiei growled, about to fire off a sharp retort-then blinked, startled, as someone grasped his right hand. He was even more stunned when he realized who it was. "Kaeru!"
His smaller companion nodded grimly, mouth set in a thin line. "Onegai, Hiei-san...let me help."
"No," he told her flatly.
"I'd never forgive myself if I didn't try!" Kaeru cried vehemently. "Yukina-chan is my friend, and so is Kuronue-san! And you're Yukina-chan's brother, I can't just let you do this alone!"
"I can handle my-" Hiei suddenly stopped, as something registered. She'd said... "...You...you KNOW?? HOW?! Who told you??"
"No one told me," the Ice Maiden replied. "Ruri-san mentioned that Yukina-chan's brother had a Jagan Eye, and I could sense a Koorime aura from you...so I've known for awhile. Don't worry," she added, after seeing his stricken face. "I won't tell her. If she's..." She trailed off, looking over at her limp friend.
"Neither of you will be alive very long, so this is rather pointless," Zenkai interrupted.
Hiei felt something stir from inside his fellow Koorime, and he suddenly changed his mind. "Merge your power with mine," he instructed her.
"...Hai!" Her ruby eyes narrowed, and just the thought of her two friends injured, possibly dead brought her anger to the surface. For the first time in her life, she was furious. She was also scared, but she had help now...and Zenkai would regret attacking her friends.
Hiei's eyes narrowed as well, and his Jagan brightened in response to his ire. Suddenly, both Koorime were enveloped in a bright golden light, a faint tinge of icy-blue infusing the whole thing.
"What the..." Zenkai involuntarily took a step back, robes swishing. The ground shuddered underneath his feet, then exploded as black light pushed through the stone, laced with gold.
Kaeru gripped Hiei's rough hand tightly, their fingers intertwined, their thoughts unified, seeking only one thing-the demise of the Koorime hunter.
"DIE!" Hiei roared, as the light manifested itself as a shrieking dragon with wide, gaping jaws. Kaeru, who was less violent, just whispered "Please..." under her breath. With her words to guide it, the dragon smacked straight into Zenkai, with a loud scream to accompany the collision, courtesy of the hunter. And then the place exploded.
******
Kia and Kelsey were a bit wobbly once they exited Chuu's truck, both Mirror Holders looking ill.
"That's it!" Rinku cried excitedly, pointing to the stone edifice they stood in front of.
"Good. Let's go, before Chuu makes us drive with him again." Kelsey strode purposefully towards the building, Kia following her.
Suzaku, who was right behind them, suddenly blinked, then grabbed each girl's collar in his hands, dragging them back.
Kia yelped, massaging her neck, and glaring at Suzaku malevolently. "What was THAT for-"
The ground rumbled ominously, and then the whole castle shuddered, starting to collapse, red and orange flames climbing up the walls to feed on anything and everything they could reach.
The small group stood still, staring at the wreckage.
"Oh," the brunette said meekly.
"YUKIIIIIIINA!!!" Kuwabara screamed in anguish. For once, no one made him shut up, still gazing quietly at the flames.
"Yukina?" A young woman stepped forward, followed by a boy, a giant dragon, and an old man. "Is she okay?"
"...Who are you?" Kelsey asked, just as Chuu cried "Koto!"
"Hello, Chuu!" The announcer grinned at him, but the happy expression soon faded, seeing their tense faces. "The last time I saw Yukina and Kaeru, they helped us break free...and now this. I hope they're all right."
"There's someone!" Rinku cried suddenly, his young eyes spotting a speeding shadow, which halted in front of them. Hiei...carrying someone.
"YUKINA-SAN!" Kuwabara swooped down on the Jaganshi and lifted the Ice Maiden into his arms. "My love, my light, my life!"
"Hiei!" Kia went over to assist him, as the youkai swayed dangerously, steadying him. "What happened? Where's Kaeru?"
"...She's...not out yet?" Hiei groaned, then slumped against the Mirror Holder.
"...I see he used it again." Kurama melted out from the shadows with Chitsuko. "It always wears him out." He took Hiei from Kia, sighing.
Chitsuko frowned. "If Kaeru's still in there, we have a problem..."
Kurama nodded, and then his emerald eyes sharpened. "Here." He thrust Hiei at the hanyou and ran into the building, the flames flaring up behind him.
"What's he DOING??" Kelsey cried, exasperated. "Does he WANT to die?!"
"Ix-nay in front of the irlfriend-gay," Kia warned.
"Kurama will be fine," Chitsuko told them, smiling slightly. "After all the times he's watched me do stupid things, guess it's his turn."
******
Thick black smoke filled the smoldering rubble, and stung Kuronue's nostrils, rousing the chimera from his "nap".
"Ouch..." he sat up, rubbing his aching head, and then became aware that he was surrounded by flames...and he was also all alone. "Shimatta!" He tried sensing for the others, but was strangely depleted in spirit energy, and could detect nothing. His curses became louder and more varied when he tried flexing his wings, and had to stop as one of them gave a sharp twinge of pain. He remembered a crippling agony when he had struck the wall...that had diminished slightly, and he was guessing that Kaeru had contributed to that. But...where was she?
Kuronue struggled to his feet, turning his head carefully, and opening his mouth to call for his Koorime charge-only to inhale a mouthful of gray ash. He choked and coughed, spitting out the now-soggy mass, and decided to keep his mouth shut for now.
Up ahead, a section of the burning ceiling fell through, and then a small, frightened scream caught his attention. So he followed it, weaving his way precariously through the flames and chunks of debris, until he caught sight of a huddled figure with sea-green hair hunched in a corner.
"Kaeru!" he called, relieved.
Hearing her name, the Ice Maiden lifted her head, ruby eyes filled with tears and terror, coughing slightly. "...Kuronue-san! Y...you're alive!"
"Well, of course!" Kuronue couldn't stop from smirking, to prove that he was all-powerful. Almighty Kuronue could handle crippled wings and a Koorime hunter, and yet he couldn't seem to handle a petite Koorime with a distrust of most men. Go figure. Now, the chimera beckoned to Kaeru. "C'mon, let's get out of here."
She hiccuped. "I can't..."
"Sure you can!" he encouraged. "Just walk over to me."
Kaeru slowly got to her feet and started towards him-then screamed, dancing back as the flames rose up higher between the two of them.
Kuronue silently cursed. "Kaeru, come ON!"
She shook her head mutely, terrified. "I CAN'T! I...I'm scared..."
"You? Scared?" That surprised him. "You survived a Koorime hunter, you survived having Suzaku as a baby-sitter, you survived drowning, and you say you're scared of a little fire??"
The Koorime hung her head, almost ashamed. "Gomen nasai..."
"Don't apologize." Kuronue took a deep breath. "You're the bravest Koorime I know, and I'm sure you can overcome this." He held out his hand, eyes fixed unwaveringly on Kaeru's pale face.
Slowly eyeing that hand, as if it were some sort of lifeline, Kaeru stepped forward, flinching as the flames licking eagerly at her kimono hem. Fighting the urge to tightly shut her eyes and go back to her corner, she kept walking towards the chimera, her teary gaze meeting his reassuring one trustingly.
And then it happened. Kaeru had almost reached Kuronue when the ceiling completely caved in. The Ice Maiden had time for a single cry, before the whole thing crashed down, burying her under the dust, flames, and stone.
"Shimatta, KAERU!" Kuronue leapt forward, the unfamiliar emotion of panic gripping his chest as he frantically dug through the rubble. When his hand brushed something soft, he seized it, and dragged the unconscious Koorime out by her obi.
"You'd better be alright," the chimera muttered, cradling his charge and brushing ash out of her hair. He rose, looking around. Everywhere he could see, flames rose up to block his exit. He bit his lip. If he couldn't get out of here, both he and Kaeru would die.
"...Kuronue!!" A faint voice called, and then Kurama had burst through the flames, running over to his friend.
"Kurama!" the former thief responded, immensely relieved.
The redheaded Youko nodded, taking a look at Kaeru, and then motioning to the right. "There's an unblocked exit...let's go!"
Outside, Chitsuko was now starting to look worried, and Rinku was hopping from foot to foot. He stopped only when Kelsey asked him if he needed to use the restroom.
"Look!" Kia called suddenly, pointing at a certain point in the flames. The others followed her finger, and saw Kurama and Kuronue running towards them, the latter carrying a small figure.
"Kaeru!!" Suzaku was definitely panicking. "What...did she...is she..."
"Ask questions later," Kuronue said shortly, as they reached the group. "We need to go home now."
The others silently nodded.
"And Chuu..." Kia glared at the youkai. "I'M driving!"
*OOC*
Whoo...sorry this took so long, we're having a bit of a crisis over here...x.x But anyways...next chapter!
* Kaeru, Hiei, and Yukina wake up...and guess who cries first?
* Koenma pays a visit, and there's a choice to be made...
* Kaeru herself has a secret...but IS Zenkai REALLY dead?
...Make that five. Okay, when we last left off, Chuu was terrifying his passengers as he drove to the rescue...Kaeru and Yukina managed to free the prisoners, but now Zenkai himself is taking charge! And what about Hiei and Kuronue? *wince*
"Kuronue-san...?" Kaeru seemed rather stunned as the chimera grinned crookedly down at his armful.
"Hey, taking this job means protecting you..." Kuronue smirked. "I figure this counts." His eyes softened. "I promise I won't leave you to this bastard."
His small charge nodded silently, then flinched when Zenkai's chilly voice washed over the two of them.
"You don't interfere with Zenkai." He said this very calmly and patiently, as if he were mildly scolding a very young child. Which Kuronue most definitely was not.
"Yeah?" he challenged, bristling. "Well, I AM!"
Hiei couldn't suppress a smirk at the chimera's cocky attitude. Yukina looked impressed. And Zenkai just looked slightly annoyed.
"There's only one way to get rid of you then...prepare to live out your worst nightmare!"
Before Kuronue could figure out what he had meant, an orb of crackling blue light left Zenkai's hand and sped towards him. Cursing bitterly, he hunched over, still holding Kaeru protectively. When the orb hit...it didn't exactly HURT, but it felt rather strange...and then everything dissolved into darkness.
He was floating...and then, abruptly, he found himself running alongside a young man with silvery hair and fox ears of the same color.
"Kurama..." Kuronue whispered, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. His former partner clutched a shiny mirror to his side as the two flew along the ground, fleeing...his pointed ears could detect faint voices in the distance, angry and jabbering wildly.
"The King, they've stolen the King's..."
The chimera was soon caught up in the moment. Kurama glanced sideways at his fellow thief, silently urging him to greater speeds.
And then it happened. His Makai bloodstone, the crimson pendant Kuronue always carried around his neck...the chain snapped, and it drifted backwards. Eyes widening in horror and muttering a "No!" under his breath, the thief turned on his heel quickly, bounding after it.
"Don't, Kuronue!" Kurama cried, whirling.
"I need it!" Came the chimera's reply as he dashed towards it. With a sigh of satisfaction, he bent down to pick it up-and heard a whistling sound from right above him. He looked up...razor-sharp bamboo stakes were hurtling down.
Kuronue froze-violet eyes fixed on his impending doom. But then, something happened.
A draft of cold air rushed past him, meeting with the stakes and freezing them solidly. One by one, they hit the ground, rendered harmless.
"...What..." Not quite sure what had just occurred, Kuronue turned his head and looked down.
Standing there, head tilted slightly, the chilly breeze ruffling sea-green tresses, was a Koorime. She was a rather cute specimen of the Ice Maiden race, and her ruby eyes were fixed on Kuronue's own purple ones.
"Kuronue-san, daijoubu?"
"Huh?" He responded, somewhat stupidly. Did he KNOW this Koorime? She obviously knew who HE was, and apparently, she had just saved his life.
Her thin brows knitted together. "Kuronue-san, this isn't real! This is one of Zenkai's powers-to trap someone in the worst experience of their life, and make them relive it."
Kuronue was having a bit of a problem comprehending what this girl was telling him. "Not real...?"
"Hai."
"So...you're not real either?"
She blinked. "I'M real! Don't you remember, Kuronue-san??" A small, pale hand hesitantly reached out, catching hold of his black leather shirt and tugging gently.
Ignoring Kurama's urgent calls to hurry up, the chimera knelt, staring into the Ice Maiden's crimson eyes. Now that she mentioned it, she DID look somewhat familiar...an image of a Koorime sitting up in bed, silently crying...
"...Kaeru?"
Her eyes lit up and she relinquished her grip on his shirt. "You remember now?"
"I think so...Shimatta, ZENKAI!!" Kuronue grasped Kaeru's small shoulders. "Do you know how to get out of here?"
Hardly had those words been spoken then both youkai found themselves back in the dungeon, slightly stunned.
Zenkai eyed them, scowling. "What the HELL does it take for you to die?" he snapped. "How did you escape?"
The chimera smirked, standing up. "While I'd love to take credit for breaking your crap spell, I have a certain Koorime to thank."
"I do what I can," Kaeru said modestly.
"Ah...interfering little bitch." Zenkai returned to his former stoic attitude. "Very well, then. I see the only way to truly destroy you is to first annihilate everything you hold dear." He raised his left hand, a bright red light rapidly gathering in the center of his callused palm. "Let's see, now..." Abruptly, the light shot straight for Kaeru, who braced herself. But it never hit.
It was as if all of it was happening in slow motion. Kuronue facing the attack head-on, defiantly, arms spread out as if to block it. The light smacking into his chest. The chimera being blown backwards and smacking into the stone wall with a great deal of force, hitting the ground with a thud after a sickening crack announced the painful breaking of one of his wings. And then he didn't move at all.
Kaeru didn't have time to fully register this, because the next moment, Yukina had also been tossed carelessly against the wall, crumpling to the floor with a cry.
Hiei dodged the light that Zenkai hurled at him, crimson eyes widening in shock. "...Y...Y...Yukina!!" The sight of his sweet little sister, a trickle of blood oozing down her face, was something he'd never forget.
The Ice Maiden ran over to Kuronue, stumbling slightly, and falling to her knees beside him, running gentle fingers over his wing and doing the best she could to correct the twisted angle. "...Kuro...Kuronue-san, wake up!" There was no response from the motionless chimera. Not even a twitch. She couldn't even detect any life energy left in his body.
Kaeru's eyes stung, and she knew tears were soon to come. "You PROMISED!!" she cried, pounding his chest angrily with her clenched hand. "You promised me...you can't be...Kuronue-saaaaaan!" As she had predicted, several tear-gems clattered to the cold floor. And then she heard something...a low sob.
Raising her head slightly, the Koorime saw Hiei cradling Yukina against him, eyes closed and shoulders heaving. And then she saw something sparkle from the corner of his lid, hitting the ground with a clink, and rolling towards her. A tear-gem.
"...Hiruiseki..." Kaeru whispered, and then her eyes darkened.
"You...BASTARD." Hiei carefully stepped away from Yukina, black fire wreathing his right arm. With a jerk of his hand, the black overrobe was gone, and Hiei was crouching down into a strange stance, the bandages on the afore-mentioned arm disintegrating as the flame raced along it.
"I will not let you live," the Jaganshi stated bitterly. Golden light wrapped around his form, pulsing in response to the dark flames.
Zenkai chuckled coolly. "YOU think you can defeat ME? You don't have the power!"
"Nani??" Hiei growled, about to fire off a sharp retort-then blinked, startled, as someone grasped his right hand. He was even more stunned when he realized who it was. "Kaeru!"
His smaller companion nodded grimly, mouth set in a thin line. "Onegai, Hiei-san...let me help."
"No," he told her flatly.
"I'd never forgive myself if I didn't try!" Kaeru cried vehemently. "Yukina-chan is my friend, and so is Kuronue-san! And you're Yukina-chan's brother, I can't just let you do this alone!"
"I can handle my-" Hiei suddenly stopped, as something registered. She'd said... "...You...you KNOW?? HOW?! Who told you??"
"No one told me," the Ice Maiden replied. "Ruri-san mentioned that Yukina-chan's brother had a Jagan Eye, and I could sense a Koorime aura from you...so I've known for awhile. Don't worry," she added, after seeing his stricken face. "I won't tell her. If she's..." She trailed off, looking over at her limp friend.
"Neither of you will be alive very long, so this is rather pointless," Zenkai interrupted.
Hiei felt something stir from inside his fellow Koorime, and he suddenly changed his mind. "Merge your power with mine," he instructed her.
"...Hai!" Her ruby eyes narrowed, and just the thought of her two friends injured, possibly dead brought her anger to the surface. For the first time in her life, she was furious. She was also scared, but she had help now...and Zenkai would regret attacking her friends.
Hiei's eyes narrowed as well, and his Jagan brightened in response to his ire. Suddenly, both Koorime were enveloped in a bright golden light, a faint tinge of icy-blue infusing the whole thing.
"What the..." Zenkai involuntarily took a step back, robes swishing. The ground shuddered underneath his feet, then exploded as black light pushed through the stone, laced with gold.
Kaeru gripped Hiei's rough hand tightly, their fingers intertwined, their thoughts unified, seeking only one thing-the demise of the Koorime hunter.
"DIE!" Hiei roared, as the light manifested itself as a shrieking dragon with wide, gaping jaws. Kaeru, who was less violent, just whispered "Please..." under her breath. With her words to guide it, the dragon smacked straight into Zenkai, with a loud scream to accompany the collision, courtesy of the hunter. And then the place exploded.
******
Kia and Kelsey were a bit wobbly once they exited Chuu's truck, both Mirror Holders looking ill.
"That's it!" Rinku cried excitedly, pointing to the stone edifice they stood in front of.
"Good. Let's go, before Chuu makes us drive with him again." Kelsey strode purposefully towards the building, Kia following her.
Suzaku, who was right behind them, suddenly blinked, then grabbed each girl's collar in his hands, dragging them back.
Kia yelped, massaging her neck, and glaring at Suzaku malevolently. "What was THAT for-"
The ground rumbled ominously, and then the whole castle shuddered, starting to collapse, red and orange flames climbing up the walls to feed on anything and everything they could reach.
The small group stood still, staring at the wreckage.
"Oh," the brunette said meekly.
"YUKIIIIIIINA!!!" Kuwabara screamed in anguish. For once, no one made him shut up, still gazing quietly at the flames.
"Yukina?" A young woman stepped forward, followed by a boy, a giant dragon, and an old man. "Is she okay?"
"...Who are you?" Kelsey asked, just as Chuu cried "Koto!"
"Hello, Chuu!" The announcer grinned at him, but the happy expression soon faded, seeing their tense faces. "The last time I saw Yukina and Kaeru, they helped us break free...and now this. I hope they're all right."
"There's someone!" Rinku cried suddenly, his young eyes spotting a speeding shadow, which halted in front of them. Hiei...carrying someone.
"YUKINA-SAN!" Kuwabara swooped down on the Jaganshi and lifted the Ice Maiden into his arms. "My love, my light, my life!"
"Hiei!" Kia went over to assist him, as the youkai swayed dangerously, steadying him. "What happened? Where's Kaeru?"
"...She's...not out yet?" Hiei groaned, then slumped against the Mirror Holder.
"...I see he used it again." Kurama melted out from the shadows with Chitsuko. "It always wears him out." He took Hiei from Kia, sighing.
Chitsuko frowned. "If Kaeru's still in there, we have a problem..."
Kurama nodded, and then his emerald eyes sharpened. "Here." He thrust Hiei at the hanyou and ran into the building, the flames flaring up behind him.
"What's he DOING??" Kelsey cried, exasperated. "Does he WANT to die?!"
"Ix-nay in front of the irlfriend-gay," Kia warned.
"Kurama will be fine," Chitsuko told them, smiling slightly. "After all the times he's watched me do stupid things, guess it's his turn."
******
Thick black smoke filled the smoldering rubble, and stung Kuronue's nostrils, rousing the chimera from his "nap".
"Ouch..." he sat up, rubbing his aching head, and then became aware that he was surrounded by flames...and he was also all alone. "Shimatta!" He tried sensing for the others, but was strangely depleted in spirit energy, and could detect nothing. His curses became louder and more varied when he tried flexing his wings, and had to stop as one of them gave a sharp twinge of pain. He remembered a crippling agony when he had struck the wall...that had diminished slightly, and he was guessing that Kaeru had contributed to that. But...where was she?
Kuronue struggled to his feet, turning his head carefully, and opening his mouth to call for his Koorime charge-only to inhale a mouthful of gray ash. He choked and coughed, spitting out the now-soggy mass, and decided to keep his mouth shut for now.
Up ahead, a section of the burning ceiling fell through, and then a small, frightened scream caught his attention. So he followed it, weaving his way precariously through the flames and chunks of debris, until he caught sight of a huddled figure with sea-green hair hunched in a corner.
"Kaeru!" he called, relieved.
Hearing her name, the Ice Maiden lifted her head, ruby eyes filled with tears and terror, coughing slightly. "...Kuronue-san! Y...you're alive!"
"Well, of course!" Kuronue couldn't stop from smirking, to prove that he was all-powerful. Almighty Kuronue could handle crippled wings and a Koorime hunter, and yet he couldn't seem to handle a petite Koorime with a distrust of most men. Go figure. Now, the chimera beckoned to Kaeru. "C'mon, let's get out of here."
She hiccuped. "I can't..."
"Sure you can!" he encouraged. "Just walk over to me."
Kaeru slowly got to her feet and started towards him-then screamed, dancing back as the flames rose up higher between the two of them.
Kuronue silently cursed. "Kaeru, come ON!"
She shook her head mutely, terrified. "I CAN'T! I...I'm scared..."
"You? Scared?" That surprised him. "You survived a Koorime hunter, you survived having Suzaku as a baby-sitter, you survived drowning, and you say you're scared of a little fire??"
The Koorime hung her head, almost ashamed. "Gomen nasai..."
"Don't apologize." Kuronue took a deep breath. "You're the bravest Koorime I know, and I'm sure you can overcome this." He held out his hand, eyes fixed unwaveringly on Kaeru's pale face.
Slowly eyeing that hand, as if it were some sort of lifeline, Kaeru stepped forward, flinching as the flames licking eagerly at her kimono hem. Fighting the urge to tightly shut her eyes and go back to her corner, she kept walking towards the chimera, her teary gaze meeting his reassuring one trustingly.
And then it happened. Kaeru had almost reached Kuronue when the ceiling completely caved in. The Ice Maiden had time for a single cry, before the whole thing crashed down, burying her under the dust, flames, and stone.
"Shimatta, KAERU!" Kuronue leapt forward, the unfamiliar emotion of panic gripping his chest as he frantically dug through the rubble. When his hand brushed something soft, he seized it, and dragged the unconscious Koorime out by her obi.
"You'd better be alright," the chimera muttered, cradling his charge and brushing ash out of her hair. He rose, looking around. Everywhere he could see, flames rose up to block his exit. He bit his lip. If he couldn't get out of here, both he and Kaeru would die.
"...Kuronue!!" A faint voice called, and then Kurama had burst through the flames, running over to his friend.
"Kurama!" the former thief responded, immensely relieved.
The redheaded Youko nodded, taking a look at Kaeru, and then motioning to the right. "There's an unblocked exit...let's go!"
Outside, Chitsuko was now starting to look worried, and Rinku was hopping from foot to foot. He stopped only when Kelsey asked him if he needed to use the restroom.
"Look!" Kia called suddenly, pointing at a certain point in the flames. The others followed her finger, and saw Kurama and Kuronue running towards them, the latter carrying a small figure.
"Kaeru!!" Suzaku was definitely panicking. "What...did she...is she..."
"Ask questions later," Kuronue said shortly, as they reached the group. "We need to go home now."
The others silently nodded.
"And Chuu..." Kia glared at the youkai. "I'M driving!"
*OOC*
Whoo...sorry this took so long, we're having a bit of a crisis over here...x.x But anyways...next chapter!
* Kaeru, Hiei, and Yukina wake up...and guess who cries first?
* Koenma pays a visit, and there's a choice to be made...
* Kaeru herself has a secret...but IS Zenkai REALLY dead?