Chapter 12- Dead and Alive
"WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" For a small being, Wasabi could make lots noise.
"Don't cry, little one," Yongei whispered as they flew in the air towards the Temple. The baby squirmed in his arms.
"His crying can only mean one thing: the person who mattered most to him is gone, his mother. Kiara's dead," Amitomo wiped his eyes on the back of Yusuke's shirt.
"As painful as the situation is, could you not do that!" He shouted.
"You doing okay, Kurama?" Yongei called to the man on his back.
"Yes, we talked about it a few days ago," Kurama said flatly.
* * *
"Why? Why must you die? *sobs*""I have to. To save you, my son, and to protect the Flame. Nothing matters, not even my death if I know you and my son are safe and happy,"
"How can I ever be happy again if you're dead? How could I live? You and your love are like oxygen! I need you!"
"I'll be back. He promised to bring me back. I'll break free from him again, and be with you,"
"And what if he doesn't bring you back?"
"Then, I'll watch you and my son grow and change. And, I'll be waiting for you in the Land of the Dead; to be with you once again."
"I don't want you to die! *hugs and cries*"
"I don't want to die either, but I have to, for your sake. Don't worry; just take care of my son for me when this is over. Promise me that, so I can die a happy woman,"
"I promise,"
* * *
"We're back," Kuwabara called from Amitomo's back. "I can see the Temple!" The two flying men swooped down and plunged toward the earth.
"I hate this part," Hiei growled from where he was strapped to Yongei's stomach.
"Then close your eyes, shrimpy!" Yongei said as he touched down on the white gravel that filled the courtyard of the Temple.
The Temple looked as it always had, only something was different. The courtyard was filled with travel parcels and two carriages bearing the Temple emblem and colors. One was being filled with the parcels by Warriors and in the other was Mameha. In her arms she carried a gold and ruby encrusted box: the Flame of Glory.
"What's going on?" Amitomo ran over to his Keeper.
"We're leaving," she said, stroking the box absentmindedly with her fingers. "Things are getting to bad for the Sacred Spirit Tools to be separated. We're joining the others at The Temple."
"No, things can't be that bad," Yongei was still trying to hush a crying Wasabi.
"Kiara's dead, at the hands of a demon who was in love with her. He has given up something he loved most of all. There is nothing to stop Karasu now." Bonai said, coming up to his Keeper. "There is still a little matter, Keeper Mameha."
"I know, but we can solve that right now," Mameha got out of the carriage and stood in front of Hiei. "We need you as a Warrior of the Flame. We can't possibly fight Karasu and the Lord of the Dead with only six Warriors,"
"Why on earth would I want to do that?" Hiei scowled and crossed his arms.
"Because you get to be a hero," Mameha leaned in and whispered something in his ear. "And, because you'll be taking the place of Kiara. Isn't she the one you've loved for years?"
"What's this now?" Kurama perked up.
"Nothing," Hiei said, glancing back at Kurama and then back to the Keeper. "I'll do it,"
* * *
"So, this is what it's like to be dead? Not too bad," Kiara floated in the air, arms behind her head.
"Isn't it fun?" called a perky voice.
"Botan, is that you?" Kiara called into the abyss.
"Bingo!" The pink-kimono clad girl appeared by her side. She floated on her oar as usual, bobbing up and down.
"So, where do I go?" Kiara climbed onto the back of the oar.
"Well, you died so suddenly, and since you will be coming back to life, we haven't prepared a place for you," Botan explained as they flew away.
"So, I am coming back?" Kiara's eyes teared. So, she could cry properly when she was dead; cool.
"Yup, but we don't know when, where, or how. And, since we haven't got a place to put you, you'll be staying with another spirit until you're brought back to life."
"Really? Who?"
"I believe you know him; we gave him his adult form when he died, so you wouldn't recognize him now. But, he's really cute,"
"Who is he? My father? My brother?"
"Why would your brother be here? Saigeri isn't dead. He, or she if you'd rather call them that, is still very much alive,"
"Whatever, just who am I staying with?" A large grassy field was coming into focus. The sun was bright and a small river trickled through.
"Your best friend, Amitare," Botan nudged Kiara off the oar so that she fell into the grass. "Well, see you!" Botan flew back into nothingness.
"Amitare?" Kiara got up, and brushed herself off. "Hmm, if he stays here, this must be his heaven. Wonder where he is? He could be anywhere!" Kiara started to walk, but soon tripped over something in her path. "Stupid log," she mumbled.
"Hey, who is it?" A soft, baritone voice called from a clump of nearby brush. "What are you doing here?"
A tall, muscular man sat up in the grass. His shaggy, blond hair was layered and fell in his deep blue eyes. He had a handsome face, and his body was very nicely sculpted and tan. His forearms were covered in thick leather bands, and his thick leather belt held his twin silver sai. He wore only pants. Amitare looked nothing like he had when he was younger.
"Tare," Kiara said, using his nickname. "It's me, Kiara,"
"Kiara," Breathed Amitare before hugging her close. "I missed you,"
"I missed you too," Kiara felt tears roll down her cheeks for the first time. "And, so has your brother,"
"Big brother? How is he?" Amitare let go and looked interested.
"He's in love with Yongei. They're a couple now," Kiara said with a smile.
"The human pincushion that used to scare me? Good Lord, is my brother really that desperate?" Amitare laughed.
"Your brother initiated the relationship, I'll have you know," Kiara smiled. "And they make a very nice couple."
"I saw that you found Kurama. And, that you had a son by my murderer," Amitare's face fell. "How was that?"
"He raped me. Remember?" Kiara got defensive. "And, just now, he killed me."
"I'm sorry. I didn't see those parts," Amitare looked at his hands.
"It's okay. The only bad thing is that Wasabi looks like his father in every way," Kiara smiled. "But, with luck, he'll turn out to be more like me instead of him,"
"I hope so," Amitare's face brightened. "Hey, want to see my heaven?"
"Sure,"
* * *
Hiei lay on his back in the Chamber of the Flame, the cold wooden floors hurting his back. He was bound by both his hands and feet to the floor by black metal chains. These were to restrain him during the induction ceremony. His clothes had been taken away, and he was dressed only in a pair of white pant; his katana lay at his side. His headband had also been removed, revealing Jaggan eye. The six Warriors stood around him, Yongei's and Amitomo's faces looked pained. They knew what was going to happen, and it wasn't going to be pretty or painless. Mameha stood at his head, the Flame of Glory unboxed and glowing in her hand.
She began the ceremony after taking a deep breath, "We gather tonight as brothers and sisters in taking in a new brother of the Order. We have decided that he shall take the place of one who has fallen, who gave their life to protect what is ours. Brothers and sisters, do you all grieve for the loss of your former sister?"
"We do," The Warriors said strongly.
"Are you ready to move on from her demise?"
"We are,"
"Are you ready to welcome in the one who will take her place in this Order?"
"We are,"
"Hiei, are you aware of the task that is being given to you,"
"I am," Hiei's voice cracked a bit, but was not unsure in his answers.
"Are you willing to give yourself over to the Order?"
"I am,"
"Are you willing to kill others for the sake of the Order?"
"I am,"
"Are you ready to die at a moments notice protecting and upholding the Order?"
"I am,"
"Are you willing to cooperate with your fellow brothers and sisters within the Order?"
"I am,"
"Do you fear pain?"
"No,"
"Do you fear evil?"
"No,"
"Do you fear death?"
"No,"
"Recite the Orders' Warriors Creed,"
"I will fear no pain, I will fear no evil, and I will fear no death,"
The Questioning done, Mameha held the Flame over Hiei's head. "Become one with us, body and mind," And so, Mameha turned over the chalice that held the Flame, and let the molten liquid within fall onto his face.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Hiei screamed as the liquid burned him. His entire body felt as if it was on fire. It was as if every tissue was being torn out one by one, his blood boiling and burning into his veins and brain. His head felt cracked open with an ax, and his head pounded with a thousand migraines. Every nerve burned and tingled, and unimaginable pain ravaged his body. He twisted and turned and squirmed to get away from the pain, but the chains bound him to the floor. And what was the worst were the memories.
Every single memory he had was being sent into the other Warrior's heads. They saw everything, from birth until then. Nothing was kept secret, and Hiei felt as if his mind was a book they were all paging through, seeing emotions and scenes he wished to keep hidden. He yelled for it to stop, yelled for the pain to go away, and anyone or anything that could stop the intense pain coursing through his body. "KURAMA! KURAMA! YONGEI! AMITOMO! YUKI-YUKINA! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
Then, young Chiyo came and knelt beside his thrashing body, "Warrior Wareki Chiyo," she said before kissing him on the lips. Hiei then received Chiyo's whole life: her father taking her fishing, her sister and older brothers teaching her to use her escrima, her mother singing her to sleep. This was the life of Chiyo. And, the pain seemed to subside after the visions were over.
"Warrior Kakego Kongono," The man merely brushed his lips, but Kongono's life came as surely as Chiyo's. He saw Kongono with his friends, his sisters teasing him about his long hair and his katana, and how he lost his young bride a week after their wedding to his brother, who had killed her out of jealousy. Now, Hiei understood why he was so withdrawn.
Nanaku shuffled over in her kimono. She winked at him before saying, "Warrior Yuiyoko Nanaku," Her kiss was a bit longer than it should have been. Nanaku had once been a very distinguished geisha girl until she was kicked out of Kyoto for insulting the patron of a teahouse. Hiei almost gasped when he felt a strong sense of loyalty and love . . .towards him!
"Warrior Musashi Bonai," Bonai's life was not quiet and serene. Hiei saw his life at the monastery and his devotion to his older brother. He also saw his abusive father, and his timid mother who would never do anything. What surprised Hiei the most was Bonai's love for a young girl he couldn't have due to his monk hood at the monastery, and his grief when she married a man just like his father. Bonai's life was riddled with heartbreak and pain.
"Warrior Wereki Kamma," Kamma's older brothers had made her into one of them. Hiei saw rough games, wrestling, and jousting in one big blur. She was a party girl who had become a woman too soon, and paid for it by an abortion her parents made her get. Still, Kamma loved everything, including one of the other Warriors whose face was blurred when Hiei got to that emotion.
Donya slouched over, "Warrior Nincha Donya," he said before lowering his face. Donya was a country boy. He obviously got his cooking talents from his older sister's who'd smothered him with feminine affection. His father had died before he was born, so he didn't remember him. His mother had taught him the ronin sword.
Amitomo patted Hiei's face, "Warrior Miyoko Amitomo," Hiei shuddered when he saw Amitomo's memory of going out on day with a toddler Amitare, and coming back to find his tribe in flames. The burned, skeletal bodies of his parents and older brothers were everywhere, his friends had perished too. Hiei saw him and little Amitare wandering the world, and felt his joy when Amitare perfected all of his techniques with martial arts and sai, and when they were both inducted into the Temple. Hiei knew the rest.
"Warrior Shi Yongei," The man smiled and added a bit of unnecessary tongue to his kiss that made Hiei want to vomit. Yongei had been picked on a lot as a boy because he was so different looking from other Sabaku boys. He was tall and very skinny; they were all short and stocky. Hiei winced as Yongei started piercing his own face to become popular, and it surprisingly worked. He felt his pain as he lost Kiara to Karasu, and felt a little uneasy when he learned what they did as a couple when she went back to him. Hiei was embarrassed as he watched Yongei and Amitomo together and was thankful when these memories were over.
Mameha kneeled over his head, "Keeper Yogiha Mameha," she kissed him, but he received to memories. The pain was almost gone, and Hiei was feeling tired. "Be at peace," Mameha whispered as Hiei drifted off to sleep.
* * *
"What's taking so long?" Yusuke stretched out on his futon in the Warrior's quarters.
"Yongei said the induction might take a long time," Kuwabara said, yawning off. Night had come soon that day.
Wasabi cooed in Kurama's arms. He looked at the little baby with a blank stare. This was Kiara's son, yet he looked nothing like her. Karasu's traits dominated his face. His eyes were slowly changing from his baby blue to a deep purple. Little Wasabi looked at Kurama with wonder in his big eyes. He reached out and grabbed some of his hair with his pudgy hand and pulled. "Ah!" Kurama pulled his hair from Wasabi's grip; he was a very strong baby. He looked into Wasabi's face, "Momma will be back soon," he singsong to him. "She'll be back when your Poppa's gone, and then I'll be your new Daddy,"
"You sure about that?" Yusuke asked him, sitting down beside him.
"Yeah, Kiara will be back," Kurama smiled as Wasabi gave a big yawn.
"No, I'm wondering about whether she'll keep Wasabi," Yusuke looked at Kurama's face. "Think about it: this is the child she had with her rapist. Do you really think she'll want to look at a duplicate of his face everyday?"
"I think she'll be able to rise above it," Kurama said with conviction.
"You honestly believe that? Come on! Open up your eyes and look the hell around!" Yusuke said. "Sure he's her son, but he's his son too,"
"We'll be fine," Kurama droned to himself. Wasabi drifted off to sleep. "We'll all be fine,"
* * *
Karasu had taken Kiara's body to his house. After placing it in his bedroom, he had set out once again for the Temple of the Flame. "I'll bring you back Kiara, and you will be mine," Karasu steamed as he walked through the dense woods. He took off his mask; it was hot for a clear spring night. His now gold hair rippled behind him. He strode to the top of a large hill, and looked to the South. In his eyes, a clear, red light shown in the faraway distance.
"So, a new Warrior is inducted? Wonder who he is," Karasu replaced his mask on his face. "I'll find out soon enough,"
* * *
"He'll be all right," Yongei said as he carried Hiei's still unconscious form into his room. "We leave for The Temple tomorrow,"
"What exactly is The Temple?" Yusuke asked. "Aren't we already at one?"
"The Temple is short for The Temple of Sacred Spirit. It's the only place where all of the Sacred Spirit Tools can be safely brought together and used for rites, rituals, or, in extreme cases such as these, battles," Amitomo said as he walked in and started fixing tea. "Not anyone can get in. Only if you are a Warrior or if you feel true love for a living individual will you ever be able to enter the grounds. If not, your body turns to ash as soon as you step foot inside the gates,"
"Unpleasant, yet effective," Kurama stated.
"And, Karasu wouldn't be able to get in because Kiara's not living," Kuwabara said. Kurama gave him a deadly look.
"Yeah, so, you think you'll be able to do something to stop Karasu and the Lord of the Dead?" Yusuke asked.
"That's what we hope," Yongei took a cup of tea from Amitomo.
"Good," Kurama glanced at Hiei. "When will he wake up?"
Amitomo gave him a worried look. "Don't know. It depends. I was out for five days before I woke up. But, Amitare woke up after only a few hours. Yongei was out for about a day or two,"
"Urhn," Hiei groaned. He opened his eyes, then quickly shut them. "Too bright,"
"That's a new record. Thirty minutes, not too shabby," Yongei grinned.
"Feel like crap," Hiei winced.
"Yeah, getting a face full of Sacred flaming lava will do that to you," Amitomo laughed.
"Shut it, fag," Hiei mumbled before falling asleep.
"I'm going to kill him," Amitomo glared.
"Now, now," Yusuke smiled. "Surely you can't mean that. I mean, without Hiei around, who could we use as a chip stand at parties?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE- Suri San Is Back! Extra long chapter as I haven't uploaded in a long time. Originally was two different ones, but I combined them for your reading pleasure.
C Yah in the next chapter: Send the Pain Below
Suri-san