Nakoruru: Hello everyone. As you can all see I'm back with another
chapter. There's not really much to say about it so I'm going to go ahead
with the thanks and so on.
SL23- Thanks so much! You bring tears to my eyes with saying that you appreciate Hiei and Serena pairings because of my stories. That means so much to me that I can influence someone with my fics. It's reviewers like you that make my day.
Nickel478- I'm sorry for the cliffie! I couldn't help myself. And to let you know so you don't have a heart attack next time, another one will pop in sooner or later. But I'm happy that you enjoyed the last chapter, now here's the next one.
Mai-Ly- I know that whole thing Alshra said was overrated, but it could not helped but be put in. I have a penchant for cliches sometimes, and she is a big cliché for me in itself, cause she's the first dominatrix type evil villain that I've ever had. And those women are seriously cliched, so yes, it was overrated. Sorry.
The Masked Mistress- That's a good question actually. The fact that the Makai is such a big place makes it harder to find, but also easier to develop things over a period of time. Since this story is about eight chapters, it makes for good kindle to set a story line. But don't worry, they will find him, you'll just have to see how.
Bunnychu- Poor you. All honors classes. . .@_@. I didn't try for honors when I was in high school despite how smart I am. But no hurries about Time Chaos, take it easy, cause I'm about ready to go at a slower pace, cause I'm tired, stressed, and seriously need a vacation soon.
Nakoruru: Now that I have everything out of the way, let's get started with this one. It sort of wrote itself, but that's okay. Just as long as everyone enjoys.
~~~~~~~~~~ ********* ~~~~~~~~~~~
Once Yusuke and the others got Serena chipped out of her prison, she and the others traveled to the Rei Kai to find out what Koenma knew about this situation. Yusuke had a strong feeling that the tiny ruler of the Rei Kai knew more than he had first let on.
"Are you sure about this Yusuke?" Serena asked as she walked in short brisk strides with the male. After her recent lost to Alshra, Serena was willing to burst into Koenma's office with Yusuke and go on a rampage about things. How was it possible, someone as strong as her could lose like she was an amateur? She even managed to take Hiei off guard, which was in itself very rare.
"I have a hunch that when he was telling us about this case, he knew who it was behind the disappearances," Yusuke said. "If I find out he knows something-" Yusuke shifted an eye over to study Serena. He was upset that his friend had to go through this. The hurt of both the loss of the battle and the man she loved was nagging at her. He would not allow this to go on.
When Yusuke and Serena burst into the office, Koenma was startled to find an angry Yusuke, and very upset Serena. Following behind the two was Kurama and Jin. Before Koenma could inquire to the Spirit Detective what was up, Yusuke yanked the tiny ruler out of his desk.
"You knew didn't you?" Yusuke snapped.
"I knew what! Put me down immediately Yusuke!" Koenma said in a commanding tone that didn't quite stand up to Yusuke's furious nature of the moment.
"I'm not putting you down until you tell me what the hell was the meaning of not giving us all the information that you had. You knew there was more to this case, didn't you."
"What do you mean? Serena, what is he taking about?" Koenma exclaimed.
"Koenma, me and Hiei were attacked by a youkai woman who admitted that she was the one that had been kidnapping youkai. We had a small fight and. . ." Serena's eyes teared up as she remembered what happened. "She took Hiei. She-she's kidnapped Hiei, Koenma. Please, if you know anything about who is she, please tell us."
"Serena." Kurama walked up and placed an arm around her shoulder, as the young woman cried yet again.
"She said her name was Alshra," Serena said, calming down some. "Do you know of a youkai by that name? Please tell us if you do, Koenma."
Koenma's eyes got serious as he looked up at Yusuke. "Put me down Yusuke and I will tell you everything I know about her." Yusuke obeyed, but he still had a very furious look on his face. Koenma knew that once he found out what had to be said, Yusuke would still not be in any happier mood. With a slight sigh, Koenma began. "Yes, I knew more about this case before telling you."
"Why didn't you tell us that when we first were here?" Kurama inquired before Yusuke could say a word. Kurama knew that if he had allowed the male to say a word, more than one thing would have came out his mouth about it.
"We weren't sure that this case and Alshra were related. I didn't tell you that we found one of the boys that had been kidnapped. Only he wasn't alive to tell us what happened. It took us almost five hours to piece his body back together in order to identify him. Something sharp had sliced his body to pieces. Along with his body, there were small black chunks of material," Koenma went on.
"She trapped me in that substance. It felt like ice when I was trying to get out of it," Serena said.
"It was ice. Black ice to be exact," Koenma said.
"Black ice. . .mainly only koorime are able to create ice, or someone who's been taught to harness ice abilities. How is she able to create black ice?" Kurama wondered.
"That's because she's a koorime herself. Only she's a dark koorime, very rare to find. The others cast her out of the land of koorime because of her dark powers. From what I've read in my father's records about her, Mukuro took her in and taught her."
"Mukuro. . ." Yusuke was surprised to hear that name once again. He thought they had dealt with her for the last time. Serena looked around at everyone with curiosity. Who was this Mukuro, and why was everyone so shocked to hear about her?
"Yusuke," Serena started. "Who is Mukuro?"
"She's one of the most powerful youkai in all of the Makai, Serena," Kurama answered her question. "After the first Dark Tournament, Hiei went to win her favor after his part on Yusuke's team. We had one or two encounters with her. Remember when we told you that there are a very limited number of youkai that have tremendous power?"
"Yeah. Is this Mukuro person one of those S type youkai that you told me about?" Serena said.
"Yes. Mukuro is. And because Alshra trained under her, she is also one," Koenma said. "But they went their separate ways after Alshra felt she had learned everything from her. Alshra wanted to take over Mukuro's role, but the teacher won out over the apprentice and Alshra wasn't heard from again. The fact that she has popped up now. . ." A frown appeared on Koenma's face.
"We have to find a way to save Hiei," Serena said. "She seemed interested in him, so she wouldn't kill him, right?"
"As long as he cooperates with her, yes. But Serena, the Makai is a big place, who knows exactly where she has taken him," Jin said, speaking up for the first time since they all got there. "It would not help to go wandering from one place to the next without some sense as to where she has taken them."
"Jin has a point. The Makai is a big place. Where do we start looking at?" Yusuke crossed his arms over his chest.
"The compass," came a chipper voice from behind them. Everyone turned to see Botan holding up the same compass that was used to find Kurama and Hiei before hand. (A/N: The one that was used in One Strange Day to be exact.) "I heard everything that has happened. I'm sorry Serena."
"But wouldn't she mask her energy?" Jin said. "She's not that stupid to leave a breadcrumb trail directly to herself."
"But we wouldn't be following her youki, it's Hiei's that we're looking for," Botan said. "I'm going to get Kuwabara and I'll be back in order to go with you guys."
"Wait! I-I want to go with them," Serena exclaimed.
"But Serena," Botan started.
"No. I have to go. I have to do something to help. I can't just sit around here and wait for news. I'm going too," Serena replied stubbornly.
"But what about Rini and Ryo. Once you tell them, they're going to need you," Kurama said. "They're going to need their mother more right now than we do."
"I'm going. Hiei told me something about them, and I believe it. They're strong. Stronger than I realize sometimes. They'll be strong until we come back, I know they will," Serena replied. "I want to go because she wants me dead. I could hear it in her voice. If I come with you, I won't be putting my children in danger with a battle in the Ningen Kai. They still have so much to learn about. I don't want them to have to see a battle like that just yet. Please let me go Yusuke. You know I can carry my own weight."
Even though Yusuke had to agree with Kurama some, he also agreed with what Serena was saying. If this Alshra chick did want her dead, then it was best that a battle did not escalate back in the Ningen Kai. If she's as powerful as Mukuro, things would not go well. The second reason that Yusuke could not turn her down was because she was exactly like Hiei. Both of them were too stubborn to back down from a challenge. Her pride and honor was on the line after all. "I know you can Serena. And together we will find this Alshra and make sure that she will never be able to do this to anyone else."
"Thank you Yusuke."
~~~~~~~~~~~ ******** ~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena walked up to the two children who waited with Keiko, Emi, and Kazuya. Looking down at them, she felt her eyes tear up. How was she going to break the news to them that some crazy youkai woman had kidnapped their father and that she was going to find him? Serena dropped to her knees once she reached her children and hugged them both.
"Momma, where's otou-chan?" Rini said. She had a bad feeling that something bad had happened after they left. There had to be an explanation as to why her mother looked so sadly at them.
"Rini, Ryo, I have something to tell you," Serena said softly.
"Momma, is otou-chan dead?" Ryo said. He wrapped his arms around her. "Don't worry momma, I'm here. I'll protect you know."
"No, your father isn't dead yet. He's been taken by a very powerful youkai, me, Yusuke, Kurama and Kuwabara are going to go get him and bring him home. Don't worry Ryo, Rini, I won't let anything happen to your father. I need you to be strong for me though. Okay." Both Rini and Ryo, though tearful eyed, nodded their heads to their mother's request. They knew that it wouldn't help to cry. She would only worry about them.
"Serena." The woman looked up to see Raye and the other senshi standing beside Keiko. A short reassuring smile was on her face, along with the other senshi too. "We know you have to do this. And we aren't going to stop you. Just know that if you need our help, just call a crisis call and we'll be right there beside you."
"Yeah, we would love to help you kick some youkai butt. Especially one who thinks she can get away stealing our guys. She should met up with Sailor V and then she'll have another thing to worry about besides you," Mina winked.
"Hey, save some for us cause we don't get a lot of action now and days anyway," Lita said. "We're with you all the way. Go for it."
"Be careful," Amy said. "I don't think Hiei or the kids would be happy if you got yourself hurt. Take care."
"Guys. . .thanks a lot. I appreciate everything that you've done for me. If I do need help, I'll make sure that I call a crisis call. Take care of Rini and Ryo for me guys."
"Of course, what are best friends for," Raye said. "They'll be all right. And we'll keep the stronghold down here. Just make sure you come back."
"I will, I promise."
"Serena, it's time to go." Serena turned to Yusuke and the others with a short smile. Her heart was filled with the strength and the courage of her children, her friends, and her family. She would save Hiei and together they would come back to the Ningen Kai. There was no doubt in her heart that love would once again overcome the evil that still tried to fight its way to the surface.
~~~~~~~~~~ ********* ~~~~~~~~~~~
Nakoruru: Okay, that is definitely is it for this chapter. I can not wring another word out that would not sound like it was being stressed. Sorry people.
Blazer: Man, work getting to you.
Nakoruru: In more ways than one. And I still have a paper to do for tomorrow. So yes. Yes everything is getting to me. I hope everyone liked the chapter. The next chapter was going to come out Thursday, but Thursday is my birthday and I want some free time off. So the next chapter comes out Friday.
Blazer: Everyone knows the routine. Read and review and we'll see you on Friday. This time it's a promise.
SL23- Thanks so much! You bring tears to my eyes with saying that you appreciate Hiei and Serena pairings because of my stories. That means so much to me that I can influence someone with my fics. It's reviewers like you that make my day.
Nickel478- I'm sorry for the cliffie! I couldn't help myself. And to let you know so you don't have a heart attack next time, another one will pop in sooner or later. But I'm happy that you enjoyed the last chapter, now here's the next one.
Mai-Ly- I know that whole thing Alshra said was overrated, but it could not helped but be put in. I have a penchant for cliches sometimes, and she is a big cliché for me in itself, cause she's the first dominatrix type evil villain that I've ever had. And those women are seriously cliched, so yes, it was overrated. Sorry.
The Masked Mistress- That's a good question actually. The fact that the Makai is such a big place makes it harder to find, but also easier to develop things over a period of time. Since this story is about eight chapters, it makes for good kindle to set a story line. But don't worry, they will find him, you'll just have to see how.
Bunnychu- Poor you. All honors classes. . .@_@. I didn't try for honors when I was in high school despite how smart I am. But no hurries about Time Chaos, take it easy, cause I'm about ready to go at a slower pace, cause I'm tired, stressed, and seriously need a vacation soon.
Nakoruru: Now that I have everything out of the way, let's get started with this one. It sort of wrote itself, but that's okay. Just as long as everyone enjoys.
~~~~~~~~~~ ********* ~~~~~~~~~~~
Once Yusuke and the others got Serena chipped out of her prison, she and the others traveled to the Rei Kai to find out what Koenma knew about this situation. Yusuke had a strong feeling that the tiny ruler of the Rei Kai knew more than he had first let on.
"Are you sure about this Yusuke?" Serena asked as she walked in short brisk strides with the male. After her recent lost to Alshra, Serena was willing to burst into Koenma's office with Yusuke and go on a rampage about things. How was it possible, someone as strong as her could lose like she was an amateur? She even managed to take Hiei off guard, which was in itself very rare.
"I have a hunch that when he was telling us about this case, he knew who it was behind the disappearances," Yusuke said. "If I find out he knows something-" Yusuke shifted an eye over to study Serena. He was upset that his friend had to go through this. The hurt of both the loss of the battle and the man she loved was nagging at her. He would not allow this to go on.
When Yusuke and Serena burst into the office, Koenma was startled to find an angry Yusuke, and very upset Serena. Following behind the two was Kurama and Jin. Before Koenma could inquire to the Spirit Detective what was up, Yusuke yanked the tiny ruler out of his desk.
"You knew didn't you?" Yusuke snapped.
"I knew what! Put me down immediately Yusuke!" Koenma said in a commanding tone that didn't quite stand up to Yusuke's furious nature of the moment.
"I'm not putting you down until you tell me what the hell was the meaning of not giving us all the information that you had. You knew there was more to this case, didn't you."
"What do you mean? Serena, what is he taking about?" Koenma exclaimed.
"Koenma, me and Hiei were attacked by a youkai woman who admitted that she was the one that had been kidnapping youkai. We had a small fight and. . ." Serena's eyes teared up as she remembered what happened. "She took Hiei. She-she's kidnapped Hiei, Koenma. Please, if you know anything about who is she, please tell us."
"Serena." Kurama walked up and placed an arm around her shoulder, as the young woman cried yet again.
"She said her name was Alshra," Serena said, calming down some. "Do you know of a youkai by that name? Please tell us if you do, Koenma."
Koenma's eyes got serious as he looked up at Yusuke. "Put me down Yusuke and I will tell you everything I know about her." Yusuke obeyed, but he still had a very furious look on his face. Koenma knew that once he found out what had to be said, Yusuke would still not be in any happier mood. With a slight sigh, Koenma began. "Yes, I knew more about this case before telling you."
"Why didn't you tell us that when we first were here?" Kurama inquired before Yusuke could say a word. Kurama knew that if he had allowed the male to say a word, more than one thing would have came out his mouth about it.
"We weren't sure that this case and Alshra were related. I didn't tell you that we found one of the boys that had been kidnapped. Only he wasn't alive to tell us what happened. It took us almost five hours to piece his body back together in order to identify him. Something sharp had sliced his body to pieces. Along with his body, there were small black chunks of material," Koenma went on.
"She trapped me in that substance. It felt like ice when I was trying to get out of it," Serena said.
"It was ice. Black ice to be exact," Koenma said.
"Black ice. . .mainly only koorime are able to create ice, or someone who's been taught to harness ice abilities. How is she able to create black ice?" Kurama wondered.
"That's because she's a koorime herself. Only she's a dark koorime, very rare to find. The others cast her out of the land of koorime because of her dark powers. From what I've read in my father's records about her, Mukuro took her in and taught her."
"Mukuro. . ." Yusuke was surprised to hear that name once again. He thought they had dealt with her for the last time. Serena looked around at everyone with curiosity. Who was this Mukuro, and why was everyone so shocked to hear about her?
"Yusuke," Serena started. "Who is Mukuro?"
"She's one of the most powerful youkai in all of the Makai, Serena," Kurama answered her question. "After the first Dark Tournament, Hiei went to win her favor after his part on Yusuke's team. We had one or two encounters with her. Remember when we told you that there are a very limited number of youkai that have tremendous power?"
"Yeah. Is this Mukuro person one of those S type youkai that you told me about?" Serena said.
"Yes. Mukuro is. And because Alshra trained under her, she is also one," Koenma said. "But they went their separate ways after Alshra felt she had learned everything from her. Alshra wanted to take over Mukuro's role, but the teacher won out over the apprentice and Alshra wasn't heard from again. The fact that she has popped up now. . ." A frown appeared on Koenma's face.
"We have to find a way to save Hiei," Serena said. "She seemed interested in him, so she wouldn't kill him, right?"
"As long as he cooperates with her, yes. But Serena, the Makai is a big place, who knows exactly where she has taken him," Jin said, speaking up for the first time since they all got there. "It would not help to go wandering from one place to the next without some sense as to where she has taken them."
"Jin has a point. The Makai is a big place. Where do we start looking at?" Yusuke crossed his arms over his chest.
"The compass," came a chipper voice from behind them. Everyone turned to see Botan holding up the same compass that was used to find Kurama and Hiei before hand. (A/N: The one that was used in One Strange Day to be exact.) "I heard everything that has happened. I'm sorry Serena."
"But wouldn't she mask her energy?" Jin said. "She's not that stupid to leave a breadcrumb trail directly to herself."
"But we wouldn't be following her youki, it's Hiei's that we're looking for," Botan said. "I'm going to get Kuwabara and I'll be back in order to go with you guys."
"Wait! I-I want to go with them," Serena exclaimed.
"But Serena," Botan started.
"No. I have to go. I have to do something to help. I can't just sit around here and wait for news. I'm going too," Serena replied stubbornly.
"But what about Rini and Ryo. Once you tell them, they're going to need you," Kurama said. "They're going to need their mother more right now than we do."
"I'm going. Hiei told me something about them, and I believe it. They're strong. Stronger than I realize sometimes. They'll be strong until we come back, I know they will," Serena replied. "I want to go because she wants me dead. I could hear it in her voice. If I come with you, I won't be putting my children in danger with a battle in the Ningen Kai. They still have so much to learn about. I don't want them to have to see a battle like that just yet. Please let me go Yusuke. You know I can carry my own weight."
Even though Yusuke had to agree with Kurama some, he also agreed with what Serena was saying. If this Alshra chick did want her dead, then it was best that a battle did not escalate back in the Ningen Kai. If she's as powerful as Mukuro, things would not go well. The second reason that Yusuke could not turn her down was because she was exactly like Hiei. Both of them were too stubborn to back down from a challenge. Her pride and honor was on the line after all. "I know you can Serena. And together we will find this Alshra and make sure that she will never be able to do this to anyone else."
"Thank you Yusuke."
~~~~~~~~~~~ ******** ~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena walked up to the two children who waited with Keiko, Emi, and Kazuya. Looking down at them, she felt her eyes tear up. How was she going to break the news to them that some crazy youkai woman had kidnapped their father and that she was going to find him? Serena dropped to her knees once she reached her children and hugged them both.
"Momma, where's otou-chan?" Rini said. She had a bad feeling that something bad had happened after they left. There had to be an explanation as to why her mother looked so sadly at them.
"Rini, Ryo, I have something to tell you," Serena said softly.
"Momma, is otou-chan dead?" Ryo said. He wrapped his arms around her. "Don't worry momma, I'm here. I'll protect you know."
"No, your father isn't dead yet. He's been taken by a very powerful youkai, me, Yusuke, Kurama and Kuwabara are going to go get him and bring him home. Don't worry Ryo, Rini, I won't let anything happen to your father. I need you to be strong for me though. Okay." Both Rini and Ryo, though tearful eyed, nodded their heads to their mother's request. They knew that it wouldn't help to cry. She would only worry about them.
"Serena." The woman looked up to see Raye and the other senshi standing beside Keiko. A short reassuring smile was on her face, along with the other senshi too. "We know you have to do this. And we aren't going to stop you. Just know that if you need our help, just call a crisis call and we'll be right there beside you."
"Yeah, we would love to help you kick some youkai butt. Especially one who thinks she can get away stealing our guys. She should met up with Sailor V and then she'll have another thing to worry about besides you," Mina winked.
"Hey, save some for us cause we don't get a lot of action now and days anyway," Lita said. "We're with you all the way. Go for it."
"Be careful," Amy said. "I don't think Hiei or the kids would be happy if you got yourself hurt. Take care."
"Guys. . .thanks a lot. I appreciate everything that you've done for me. If I do need help, I'll make sure that I call a crisis call. Take care of Rini and Ryo for me guys."
"Of course, what are best friends for," Raye said. "They'll be all right. And we'll keep the stronghold down here. Just make sure you come back."
"I will, I promise."
"Serena, it's time to go." Serena turned to Yusuke and the others with a short smile. Her heart was filled with the strength and the courage of her children, her friends, and her family. She would save Hiei and together they would come back to the Ningen Kai. There was no doubt in her heart that love would once again overcome the evil that still tried to fight its way to the surface.
~~~~~~~~~~ ********* ~~~~~~~~~~~
Nakoruru: Okay, that is definitely is it for this chapter. I can not wring another word out that would not sound like it was being stressed. Sorry people.
Blazer: Man, work getting to you.
Nakoruru: In more ways than one. And I still have a paper to do for tomorrow. So yes. Yes everything is getting to me. I hope everyone liked the chapter. The next chapter was going to come out Thursday, but Thursday is my birthday and I want some free time off. So the next chapter comes out Friday.
Blazer: Everyone knows the routine. Read and review and we'll see you on Friday. This time it's a promise.