(Author's note: I know it's been said Hiei was kicked out of the Koorime either because he was a fire demon, or he was a male.. But I've seen pics of Koorime males so the only reason why Hiei was kicked off the island was because he was a fire demon not because he was male.)
Life's Work, A Son's Love pt. 4
Slowly, in a worried daze, Kurama walked into Shiori's room and slowly made his way to her side. Shiori looked up to him her dying eyes softly shining with tired happiness.
"Kurama," she softly whispered as Kurama placed a gentle finger to her mouth to silence her.
"Shh..." he said softly his emerald eyes tearing softly. "Don't talk.. You wont get well unless you get your rest."
Shiori turned her head away from her son her dark eyes shining sadly.
"Kurama," she began softly. "You and I both know that I'm not going to make it."
Kurama lowered his eyes sadly.
"But.." she whispered quietly as she turned back to him. "Promise me.. One last thing."
Kurama looked up his eyes overflowing with tears.
"Bring back my tapestry," she whispered as she reached up wiping his tears away. "I'd like you to have it.. You're the only one who deserves it."
Slowly, Kurama nodded and slowly stood as his mother's eyes slowly fell closed into a light slumber.
Quickly and quietly, he walked out and knocked warily on Yusuke's door wiping the rest of his tears away. Yusuke opened the door glaring at the sight of his brother.
"What do you want?" Yusuke sneered glaring as Kurama matched his piercing gaze.
"Tell me Yusuke," Kurama said determined. "Who did you sell mother's tapestry to, and where do I find this person?"
"Hm.." Yusuke began as he stared at the dirt underneath his nails. "Give me one good reason why I should tell you."
Kurama glared.
"Just tell me," Kurama began suppressing his anger. "Then, I will promise you one thing."
"Oh yea?" Yusuke replied mockingly. "And what would that be?"
"You and Shuiichi can leave," Kurama replied glaring as Yusuke smirked. "You both take that money you made from mother's tapestry.. And you may leave.. Mother doesn't need you, and you don't need her.. Understood?"
Yusuke continue smirking.
"Understood," he replied cockily as he turned to the direction of Shuiichi's room. "Shuiichi! Get your things.. We're leaving.. For good!"
"Really?" Shuiichi asked curious smirking devilishly. "Where to?"
"Anyplace that's far from this dump," Yusuke replied as he walked back into his room grabbing the small sack of gold coins in his hands. "And we won't have the old hag and her faithful dog to bother us."
"Great," Shuiichi replied coming from his room with a small satchel. "Lets go."
Yusuke nodded and turned to Kurama.
"I just sold that stupid thing to some old lady named Genkai," Yusuke replied. "She said you'd find her in the east."
"Thank you," Kurama replied as Yusuke and Shuiichi walked out the small cottage door not saying a word.
He turned to his room to gather his things. 'Don't worry mother,' he thought. 'I'm going to find that tapestry for you.. And I just know you'll get better.' He walked out with a small knapsack and walked back to his mother's room and quickly scribbled a letter to her. Then, as he turned away quietly, he walked out of the cottage and turned toward the east hoping to find his mother's life's work, her tapestry.
The noon high sun beat down on him with unmerciful rays as it stung his emerald eyes. He walked on sore, bare, and bleeding feet as he made his way into the far east a temple coming into the distance. Slowly, he quickly walked to the wooden steps and collapsed with a thump.
He looked up into the shaded rafters and the red and green columns. Around the temple, a large woods grew filled with ancient trees filled with green leaves and blooming sakura blossoms. A gentle wind blew swaying the leaves and flying the grass and the sakura petals around him.
"May I help you?" an old voice rasped making Kurama sit up straight.
He turned and found a small old woman with graying pink hair.
"Uh.." Kurama began nervously. "Well.. Forgive me Miko-sama.. But I came here hoping to find a woman named Genkai.. Could you tell me where to find her?"
The old woman studied the young man's face as a memory came to mind.
~Flashback~
She sat kneeling before and altar as the sweet incense wafted into the room. Her brown eyes closed in deep concentration as a vision came to mind. She saw a handsome young man with shining emerald eyes and ruby hair seeking her help. Slowly, a strong and gentle wind flew the temple breaking her vision as she opened her eyes. The tapestry hung on the distant wall shaking and blowing violently in the wind. Quickly, the tapestry flew in the breeze and out the temple door. The old woman ran to the door and watched as the beautiful tapestry flew towards the distant mist covered mountains. She closed her eyes as she sensed a presence in the wind. 'Destiny..' her old mind rasped as she slowly opened her eyes. 'I'll see you in a few days.. Kurama.'
~End Flashback~
"I am Genkai," the old woman replied as Kurama's eyes went wide. "I've been expecting you Kurama."
Kurama jumped back startled.
"Do not be afraid," Genkai rasped softly smiling. "I know you come looking for your mother's tapestry.. It meant a lot to her didn't it?"
Kurama nodded.
"I know you care for your mother very much," she continued as she walked to his side and down the steps. "So I offer you my help.. But be warned this journey is a test of wills.. I can only help you so much."
"I understand," Kurama replied staring determinedly at the old woman.
"Very well," she replied as she walked signaling for him to follow.
They walked deep into the woods surrounding the palace grounds following a beaten path as they came to the small clearing as an old metal horse statue stood waiting patiently. The horse stood tall and proud its head held high in a valiant neigh its metal teeth shining in the spots of sunlight falling from the trees. Kurama turned and looked down on the old woman with a questioning look.
"I will give you this horse to ride," she began as Kurama sweat-dropped. "But first.. Knock out two of your teeth and give them to me."
Kurama's eyes went wide as he stared at the old woman. Genkai shot him a look. Kurama sighed. 'Very well,' he thought worried as he found a large stone lying by his feet. 'Only for you mother.' He smiled and closed his eyes as he quickly sent the stone flying to his face.
A blood covered stone fell into the soft grass as Kurama spat two blood covered teeth from his mouth. Quickly, he handed them to Genkai as he ran his tongue over his mouth the soft pink flesh licking the large spaces between his teeth. He watched as Genkai walked to the horse as she stood on the tips of her toes placing the teeth in the horse's mouth.
A loud metallic creak resounded through the woods as the metal horse slowly moved clanking its metal mane and swishing its metal tail. It neighed a metallic neigh. Taking the metal reigns, she brought the horse to Kurama's side.
"Take this horse," Genkai began. "And lead it to a mulberry tree where it can eat its fill.. Then ride off into the distant mountains.. There you shall find your mother's tapestry."
"Understood," Kurama replied as he climbed onto the horse's back.
"But.." she began gravely.
Kurama turned.
"A warning.. Beware you must cross the Field of Flames where the vicious fire demons live as well as the icy sea of the Koorime.." she began. "Both are opposite, but they attack viciously. You must be strong and no matter what happens, you must not cry out or show your pain. Understood?"
Nervously gulping, Kurama nodded.
Slowly, he led the horse away from the old woman as the old woman watched. 'You're either extremely brave,' she began quietly. 'Or extremely foolish.' (Author's note: just so you know that last line doesn't belong to me.. It was Karasu's from the finals of the Dark Tournament.)
He rode on the rock path the metal horse's hooves clanking loudly on the stone under the shade of the tall birch trees above them. The horse neighed eagerly as they came to a grove of tall trees laden with small dark red berries. 'The mulberries,' Kurama thought as he reached up into the tree pulling down a branch to the horse's mouth as the metal horse ate its fill its teeth clanking and clanging. Quickly, the horse stood on its strong hind legs and let out a loud mechanical neigh as it began galloping towards the distant mountains the metal hooves resounding in a loud thunder through the woods. Kurama rode smiling and hanging on tightly as the wind raced through his long red locks freedom and determination running in his veins.
They raced under the moonlight as the evening stars shined down on them lighting their way as an eerie red and orange glow shined in the distance. 'The Field of Flames,' he thought gulping nervously. He slowed his horse down and slowly led it towards the light.
They rode into a large molten field the stone path beneath the horse's hooves turning into firing coals as the grass and trees around them turned into molten lakes and rivers the bubbles bubbling next to them splattering lava at their feet. Fiery flares shot up around them filling the night sky with red, yellow, and orange ribbons of fiery silk. Kurama gulped again as he looked around cautiously looking for the hidden fire demons of the field. Sweat slipped down Kurama's worried brow and down his body the temperature rising steady as he and the horse made their way deeper into the field. Then, unsuspecting, Kurama heard a dangerous growl as a small black figure rushed toward himself and the horse scaring the metal stallion. Frightened, the stallion reared on its hind legs as Kurama held tightly to the horse not wanting to fall into the bed of hot coals. He guided the horse backwards calming it down as he looked on the outstretch of the path before him and met the piercing crimson gaze of a small spiky black haired demon clutching a katana in a fighting stance as a purple eye shined dangerously on his forehead a dragon tattoo on his arm seemingly twitching with anticipation.
The demon glared.
"Who are you?" the demon asked dangerously. "And why are you here?"
"Forgive me," Kurama began nervously. "I am Kurama.. I come through your land looking for my mother's tapestry."
The demon continued glaring a sneer placing itself on its lips.
"Fight me," the demon demanded as Kurama stared wide eyed.
"But," Kurama replied as he eased his horse backwards. "I am unarmed."
"Hm," the demon replied smirking. "Well then.. I guess you'll have to pray for a quick and painless death... though I wouldn't count on it."
The demon charged as the horse neighed frighteningly rearing on its hind legs. Kurama held on tightly. The demon seemingly disappeared before he could slice the metal horse in two. Quickly, as he heard a menacing cackle behind him, Kurama turned.
"Am I too fast for you human?" the demon laughed derisively as he disappeared again.
Kurama looked around nervously as he guided the horse further back its metal tail swishing.
"Boo!" the demon laughed as it appeared just inches from Kurama's face his crimson eyes bearing into frightened green ones as he disappeared.
The demon's evil laughter echoed through the endless fields of lava and fire around him. The red head gulped nervously. 'Think Kurama think,' he chanted to himself as he looked around. 'Where will he appear next?' He snapped from his reverie as he watched the demon seemingly walk on the molten lava fields unharmed.
"Now you see me," the demon mocked as he slowly disappeared. "Now you don't!"
Kurama watched in curiosity as the strange purple eye on the demon's forehead glowed brightly as the small man disappeared. 'That eye,' Kurama thought as an idea formed in his mind.
"I'm here," he cried out into the empty fire fields waving his arms in challenge. "Come and get me!"
"You really are a foolish human," the demon mocked again as he charged toward Kurama his katana prepared to strike.
Kurama bit his lip hard drawing blood as the demon sent his katana through his stomach.
"Do not underestimate me..." Kurama replied smoothly as he gripped the blade and slid his hand down it drawing a deep cut in his palm. "Demon."
He threw his blood into the demon's face and into his three eyes. The demon cried out in pain as he dropped his katana to the hot coal ground. The demon writhed in pain as he struggled to remove the blood from his eyes.
Kurama pressed a hand to his stomach slowly stopping the bleeding. 'It's deep, but I'll be all right,' he thought quietly.
Wincing, the demon squinted to Kurama's taller form.
"Not bad," the demon conceded. "I have been defeated."
Kurama smiled.
"Tell me," he began being friendly. "Who are you? And are you alone here?"
"No," the demon replied slowly standing. "I'm the Emperor of the other demons that live here.. You may call me.. Hiei."
Kurama nodded and looked out into the molten fields as demon heads slowly rose from the lava.
"Hiei -sama!" the other demons cried worriedly as the ran to their king.
"Are you all right?" a demon asked as Hiei nodded. "Shall we call for the queen?"
"There is no need," a woman's worried voice called out. "I'm already here."
The demons and Kurama turned as a beautiful woman with long black hair red-gold eyes wearing a long black dress trimmed in blood red with small fox ears and a swishing fox tail walked up to them.
"Cristy," Hiei rasped as the woman pulled him into her arms.
"Shh.." Cristy cooed as she stroked her husband's hair. "What have I told you about unexpectedly attacking innocent travelers that come through our territory?"
"Hm.. How do you expect me to protect you and the others that live here?" Hiei replied as Cristy smiled.
Hiei turned and looked up to Kurama.
"You may pass," he said respectfully. "And you may come back here welcomed.. Beware the land of the Koorime.. My sister may not be very kind."
"Sister?" asked Kurama confused. "You're part..."
Hiei nodded.
"They disowned me and threw me out as a child," Hiei began. "They kept her... because she was full blooded Koorime. I stay here to watch over her."
Kurama smiled.
"Thank you," he replied as he led the horse through the crowd of demons. "You're a lot nicer than you appear to be Hiei."
"Hm," the King replied coldly. "Tell her, and I will kill you myself."
Kurama chuckled softly and continued riding.
King Hiei and Queen Cristy and the others watched as he rode away. 'Hm..' Hiei thought to himself. 'Best of luck to you.. Friend.'
Kurama rode into the late night watching the shining stars. He turned forward as he felt an icy blast blow on his skin and billow his hair. He shivered. 'The Sea of the Koorime,' he thought worriedly as Hiei's warning echoed in his mind. He turned upwards watching the night stars slowly fade to thick dark clouds heavy with snow sent soft flakes falling as the sound of crashing icy waves bombarded his ears. An ice cold wind blew. He shivered.
Slowly, leading the horse from the heat of the fire fields, he came to a large chasm filled with ice cold water and an icy bridge leading to the other side invisible under the falling snow. He looked around cautiously as he spotted floating snow covered islands filled with small village huts and homes as the icy sea crashed and roared below him and the floating islands. He watched as he saw the men and women on the islands run in fear back into the small huts and houses. He watched as a large island came into view with a large ice crystal palace shining on its snowy grounds.
"Alert the King and Queen," a Koorime male whispered as the other Koorime nodded gravely running towards a large ice palace in the distance.
The Koorime burst into the palace meeting the gaze of a beautiful queen and her king. The queen looked up her ice blue hair gently falling behind her silver hiruiseki crown shining as her silver and ice blue gown rustling gently as the cat demon king with long orange hair and long tail looked up.
"Queen Yukina," the Koorime started. "King Kuwabara.. There's a strange man outside on the ice bridge."
"Yes," Queen Yukina replied worriedly. "Do continue."
"Should we attack?" the Koorime asked.
"Do not worry my Yukina darling!" King Kuwabara cried loudly his royal robes flying as he struck a heroic pose. "I will fight him myself and protect you!"
"Is the man armed?" Queen Yukina asked as the Koorime shook his head. "Is he hurt?"
The Koorime nodded.
"Then," she began kindly softly smiling. "We will not hurt him."
King Kuwabara sunk down from his heroic pose and turned to his Queen.
"I agree!" he cried stupidly. "We will not fight him! We'll go out to him and heal his wounds!"
The others in the room except for Queen Yukina sweat-dropped. 'What does her Highness see in him?' the Koorime thought. 'He's an idiot.'
Kurama watched as a small entourage of Koorime walked from the ice palace a beautiful woman riding sidesaddle on a large snow white mare and an ugly cat demon riding beside on a white stallion. He watched as he heard a soft wintery whistle echo through the snow storm softly blowing an ice bridge from the island to where Kurama stood watching in curiosity. Quickly, the woman and the cat demon rode over their horses' hooves clinking loudly on the ice. Kurama slowly led the metal horse backwards.
"Do not be afraid," the woman said kindly as she demounted her horse. "I am Queen Yukina, and this is my husband King Kuwabara.. We rule this place.. Tell us.. Why are you here?"
"I am looking for my mother's tapestry," Kurama replied as an icy wind blew making him shiver.
Queen Yukina nodded as she looked over Kurama's weary, tired, and bloodstained form. She stepped forward.
"Come," she began gently. "Let me heal you.. You look as though you've been through a rough battle."
"I have," he replied tiredly as Yukina raised her hands to his wounds. "Your br- eh.. King Hiei of the fire demons attacked me."
"How awful!" Kuwabara cried shaking his head. "That stupid piece of shrimp. At least Yukina when we find your brother he won't be like him."
Kurama softly coughed. 'How ironic,' he thought quietly as Yukina's warm healing power flowed through him.
"I don't think he's so bad Kazuma," she said as she watched as Kurama's wounds slowly healed. "In fact.. He almost seems.. Familiar."
Kurama quietly hummed an innocent tune in his mind his emerald eyes turning away to look at the icy sea.
"All done," Yukina said smiling as Kurama looked over his healed wounds.
"Thank you," he replied smiling. "I must get going.. Best of luck to you in finding your brother."
"Thank you," Yukina said watching him as he rode on the icy bridge.
"As they say," he called back to her. "Sometimes the things we're looking so hard for are right under our noses."
Queen Yukina and King Kuwabara smiled as they watched him disappear into the thick snow.
"What do you think he meant?" Yukina asked looking up to her husband.
"I have no idea," Kuwabara replied as she remounted her horse and rode by his side back to the crystal palace.
Life's Work, A Son's Love pt. 4
Slowly, in a worried daze, Kurama walked into Shiori's room and slowly made his way to her side. Shiori looked up to him her dying eyes softly shining with tired happiness.
"Kurama," she softly whispered as Kurama placed a gentle finger to her mouth to silence her.
"Shh..." he said softly his emerald eyes tearing softly. "Don't talk.. You wont get well unless you get your rest."
Shiori turned her head away from her son her dark eyes shining sadly.
"Kurama," she began softly. "You and I both know that I'm not going to make it."
Kurama lowered his eyes sadly.
"But.." she whispered quietly as she turned back to him. "Promise me.. One last thing."
Kurama looked up his eyes overflowing with tears.
"Bring back my tapestry," she whispered as she reached up wiping his tears away. "I'd like you to have it.. You're the only one who deserves it."
Slowly, Kurama nodded and slowly stood as his mother's eyes slowly fell closed into a light slumber.
Quickly and quietly, he walked out and knocked warily on Yusuke's door wiping the rest of his tears away. Yusuke opened the door glaring at the sight of his brother.
"What do you want?" Yusuke sneered glaring as Kurama matched his piercing gaze.
"Tell me Yusuke," Kurama said determined. "Who did you sell mother's tapestry to, and where do I find this person?"
"Hm.." Yusuke began as he stared at the dirt underneath his nails. "Give me one good reason why I should tell you."
Kurama glared.
"Just tell me," Kurama began suppressing his anger. "Then, I will promise you one thing."
"Oh yea?" Yusuke replied mockingly. "And what would that be?"
"You and Shuiichi can leave," Kurama replied glaring as Yusuke smirked. "You both take that money you made from mother's tapestry.. And you may leave.. Mother doesn't need you, and you don't need her.. Understood?"
Yusuke continue smirking.
"Understood," he replied cockily as he turned to the direction of Shuiichi's room. "Shuiichi! Get your things.. We're leaving.. For good!"
"Really?" Shuiichi asked curious smirking devilishly. "Where to?"
"Anyplace that's far from this dump," Yusuke replied as he walked back into his room grabbing the small sack of gold coins in his hands. "And we won't have the old hag and her faithful dog to bother us."
"Great," Shuiichi replied coming from his room with a small satchel. "Lets go."
Yusuke nodded and turned to Kurama.
"I just sold that stupid thing to some old lady named Genkai," Yusuke replied. "She said you'd find her in the east."
"Thank you," Kurama replied as Yusuke and Shuiichi walked out the small cottage door not saying a word.
He turned to his room to gather his things. 'Don't worry mother,' he thought. 'I'm going to find that tapestry for you.. And I just know you'll get better.' He walked out with a small knapsack and walked back to his mother's room and quickly scribbled a letter to her. Then, as he turned away quietly, he walked out of the cottage and turned toward the east hoping to find his mother's life's work, her tapestry.
The noon high sun beat down on him with unmerciful rays as it stung his emerald eyes. He walked on sore, bare, and bleeding feet as he made his way into the far east a temple coming into the distance. Slowly, he quickly walked to the wooden steps and collapsed with a thump.
He looked up into the shaded rafters and the red and green columns. Around the temple, a large woods grew filled with ancient trees filled with green leaves and blooming sakura blossoms. A gentle wind blew swaying the leaves and flying the grass and the sakura petals around him.
"May I help you?" an old voice rasped making Kurama sit up straight.
He turned and found a small old woman with graying pink hair.
"Uh.." Kurama began nervously. "Well.. Forgive me Miko-sama.. But I came here hoping to find a woman named Genkai.. Could you tell me where to find her?"
The old woman studied the young man's face as a memory came to mind.
~Flashback~
She sat kneeling before and altar as the sweet incense wafted into the room. Her brown eyes closed in deep concentration as a vision came to mind. She saw a handsome young man with shining emerald eyes and ruby hair seeking her help. Slowly, a strong and gentle wind flew the temple breaking her vision as she opened her eyes. The tapestry hung on the distant wall shaking and blowing violently in the wind. Quickly, the tapestry flew in the breeze and out the temple door. The old woman ran to the door and watched as the beautiful tapestry flew towards the distant mist covered mountains. She closed her eyes as she sensed a presence in the wind. 'Destiny..' her old mind rasped as she slowly opened her eyes. 'I'll see you in a few days.. Kurama.'
~End Flashback~
"I am Genkai," the old woman replied as Kurama's eyes went wide. "I've been expecting you Kurama."
Kurama jumped back startled.
"Do not be afraid," Genkai rasped softly smiling. "I know you come looking for your mother's tapestry.. It meant a lot to her didn't it?"
Kurama nodded.
"I know you care for your mother very much," she continued as she walked to his side and down the steps. "So I offer you my help.. But be warned this journey is a test of wills.. I can only help you so much."
"I understand," Kurama replied staring determinedly at the old woman.
"Very well," she replied as she walked signaling for him to follow.
They walked deep into the woods surrounding the palace grounds following a beaten path as they came to the small clearing as an old metal horse statue stood waiting patiently. The horse stood tall and proud its head held high in a valiant neigh its metal teeth shining in the spots of sunlight falling from the trees. Kurama turned and looked down on the old woman with a questioning look.
"I will give you this horse to ride," she began as Kurama sweat-dropped. "But first.. Knock out two of your teeth and give them to me."
Kurama's eyes went wide as he stared at the old woman. Genkai shot him a look. Kurama sighed. 'Very well,' he thought worried as he found a large stone lying by his feet. 'Only for you mother.' He smiled and closed his eyes as he quickly sent the stone flying to his face.
A blood covered stone fell into the soft grass as Kurama spat two blood covered teeth from his mouth. Quickly, he handed them to Genkai as he ran his tongue over his mouth the soft pink flesh licking the large spaces between his teeth. He watched as Genkai walked to the horse as she stood on the tips of her toes placing the teeth in the horse's mouth.
A loud metallic creak resounded through the woods as the metal horse slowly moved clanking its metal mane and swishing its metal tail. It neighed a metallic neigh. Taking the metal reigns, she brought the horse to Kurama's side.
"Take this horse," Genkai began. "And lead it to a mulberry tree where it can eat its fill.. Then ride off into the distant mountains.. There you shall find your mother's tapestry."
"Understood," Kurama replied as he climbed onto the horse's back.
"But.." she began gravely.
Kurama turned.
"A warning.. Beware you must cross the Field of Flames where the vicious fire demons live as well as the icy sea of the Koorime.." she began. "Both are opposite, but they attack viciously. You must be strong and no matter what happens, you must not cry out or show your pain. Understood?"
Nervously gulping, Kurama nodded.
Slowly, he led the horse away from the old woman as the old woman watched. 'You're either extremely brave,' she began quietly. 'Or extremely foolish.' (Author's note: just so you know that last line doesn't belong to me.. It was Karasu's from the finals of the Dark Tournament.)
He rode on the rock path the metal horse's hooves clanking loudly on the stone under the shade of the tall birch trees above them. The horse neighed eagerly as they came to a grove of tall trees laden with small dark red berries. 'The mulberries,' Kurama thought as he reached up into the tree pulling down a branch to the horse's mouth as the metal horse ate its fill its teeth clanking and clanging. Quickly, the horse stood on its strong hind legs and let out a loud mechanical neigh as it began galloping towards the distant mountains the metal hooves resounding in a loud thunder through the woods. Kurama rode smiling and hanging on tightly as the wind raced through his long red locks freedom and determination running in his veins.
They raced under the moonlight as the evening stars shined down on them lighting their way as an eerie red and orange glow shined in the distance. 'The Field of Flames,' he thought gulping nervously. He slowed his horse down and slowly led it towards the light.
They rode into a large molten field the stone path beneath the horse's hooves turning into firing coals as the grass and trees around them turned into molten lakes and rivers the bubbles bubbling next to them splattering lava at their feet. Fiery flares shot up around them filling the night sky with red, yellow, and orange ribbons of fiery silk. Kurama gulped again as he looked around cautiously looking for the hidden fire demons of the field. Sweat slipped down Kurama's worried brow and down his body the temperature rising steady as he and the horse made their way deeper into the field. Then, unsuspecting, Kurama heard a dangerous growl as a small black figure rushed toward himself and the horse scaring the metal stallion. Frightened, the stallion reared on its hind legs as Kurama held tightly to the horse not wanting to fall into the bed of hot coals. He guided the horse backwards calming it down as he looked on the outstretch of the path before him and met the piercing crimson gaze of a small spiky black haired demon clutching a katana in a fighting stance as a purple eye shined dangerously on his forehead a dragon tattoo on his arm seemingly twitching with anticipation.
The demon glared.
"Who are you?" the demon asked dangerously. "And why are you here?"
"Forgive me," Kurama began nervously. "I am Kurama.. I come through your land looking for my mother's tapestry."
The demon continued glaring a sneer placing itself on its lips.
"Fight me," the demon demanded as Kurama stared wide eyed.
"But," Kurama replied as he eased his horse backwards. "I am unarmed."
"Hm," the demon replied smirking. "Well then.. I guess you'll have to pray for a quick and painless death... though I wouldn't count on it."
The demon charged as the horse neighed frighteningly rearing on its hind legs. Kurama held on tightly. The demon seemingly disappeared before he could slice the metal horse in two. Quickly, as he heard a menacing cackle behind him, Kurama turned.
"Am I too fast for you human?" the demon laughed derisively as he disappeared again.
Kurama looked around nervously as he guided the horse further back its metal tail swishing.
"Boo!" the demon laughed as it appeared just inches from Kurama's face his crimson eyes bearing into frightened green ones as he disappeared.
The demon's evil laughter echoed through the endless fields of lava and fire around him. The red head gulped nervously. 'Think Kurama think,' he chanted to himself as he looked around. 'Where will he appear next?' He snapped from his reverie as he watched the demon seemingly walk on the molten lava fields unharmed.
"Now you see me," the demon mocked as he slowly disappeared. "Now you don't!"
Kurama watched in curiosity as the strange purple eye on the demon's forehead glowed brightly as the small man disappeared. 'That eye,' Kurama thought as an idea formed in his mind.
"I'm here," he cried out into the empty fire fields waving his arms in challenge. "Come and get me!"
"You really are a foolish human," the demon mocked again as he charged toward Kurama his katana prepared to strike.
Kurama bit his lip hard drawing blood as the demon sent his katana through his stomach.
"Do not underestimate me..." Kurama replied smoothly as he gripped the blade and slid his hand down it drawing a deep cut in his palm. "Demon."
He threw his blood into the demon's face and into his three eyes. The demon cried out in pain as he dropped his katana to the hot coal ground. The demon writhed in pain as he struggled to remove the blood from his eyes.
Kurama pressed a hand to his stomach slowly stopping the bleeding. 'It's deep, but I'll be all right,' he thought quietly.
Wincing, the demon squinted to Kurama's taller form.
"Not bad," the demon conceded. "I have been defeated."
Kurama smiled.
"Tell me," he began being friendly. "Who are you? And are you alone here?"
"No," the demon replied slowly standing. "I'm the Emperor of the other demons that live here.. You may call me.. Hiei."
Kurama nodded and looked out into the molten fields as demon heads slowly rose from the lava.
"Hiei -sama!" the other demons cried worriedly as the ran to their king.
"Are you all right?" a demon asked as Hiei nodded. "Shall we call for the queen?"
"There is no need," a woman's worried voice called out. "I'm already here."
The demons and Kurama turned as a beautiful woman with long black hair red-gold eyes wearing a long black dress trimmed in blood red with small fox ears and a swishing fox tail walked up to them.
"Cristy," Hiei rasped as the woman pulled him into her arms.
"Shh.." Cristy cooed as she stroked her husband's hair. "What have I told you about unexpectedly attacking innocent travelers that come through our territory?"
"Hm.. How do you expect me to protect you and the others that live here?" Hiei replied as Cristy smiled.
Hiei turned and looked up to Kurama.
"You may pass," he said respectfully. "And you may come back here welcomed.. Beware the land of the Koorime.. My sister may not be very kind."
"Sister?" asked Kurama confused. "You're part..."
Hiei nodded.
"They disowned me and threw me out as a child," Hiei began. "They kept her... because she was full blooded Koorime. I stay here to watch over her."
Kurama smiled.
"Thank you," he replied as he led the horse through the crowd of demons. "You're a lot nicer than you appear to be Hiei."
"Hm," the King replied coldly. "Tell her, and I will kill you myself."
Kurama chuckled softly and continued riding.
King Hiei and Queen Cristy and the others watched as he rode away. 'Hm..' Hiei thought to himself. 'Best of luck to you.. Friend.'
Kurama rode into the late night watching the shining stars. He turned forward as he felt an icy blast blow on his skin and billow his hair. He shivered. 'The Sea of the Koorime,' he thought worriedly as Hiei's warning echoed in his mind. He turned upwards watching the night stars slowly fade to thick dark clouds heavy with snow sent soft flakes falling as the sound of crashing icy waves bombarded his ears. An ice cold wind blew. He shivered.
Slowly, leading the horse from the heat of the fire fields, he came to a large chasm filled with ice cold water and an icy bridge leading to the other side invisible under the falling snow. He looked around cautiously as he spotted floating snow covered islands filled with small village huts and homes as the icy sea crashed and roared below him and the floating islands. He watched as he saw the men and women on the islands run in fear back into the small huts and houses. He watched as a large island came into view with a large ice crystal palace shining on its snowy grounds.
"Alert the King and Queen," a Koorime male whispered as the other Koorime nodded gravely running towards a large ice palace in the distance.
The Koorime burst into the palace meeting the gaze of a beautiful queen and her king. The queen looked up her ice blue hair gently falling behind her silver hiruiseki crown shining as her silver and ice blue gown rustling gently as the cat demon king with long orange hair and long tail looked up.
"Queen Yukina," the Koorime started. "King Kuwabara.. There's a strange man outside on the ice bridge."
"Yes," Queen Yukina replied worriedly. "Do continue."
"Should we attack?" the Koorime asked.
"Do not worry my Yukina darling!" King Kuwabara cried loudly his royal robes flying as he struck a heroic pose. "I will fight him myself and protect you!"
"Is the man armed?" Queen Yukina asked as the Koorime shook his head. "Is he hurt?"
The Koorime nodded.
"Then," she began kindly softly smiling. "We will not hurt him."
King Kuwabara sunk down from his heroic pose and turned to his Queen.
"I agree!" he cried stupidly. "We will not fight him! We'll go out to him and heal his wounds!"
The others in the room except for Queen Yukina sweat-dropped. 'What does her Highness see in him?' the Koorime thought. 'He's an idiot.'
Kurama watched as a small entourage of Koorime walked from the ice palace a beautiful woman riding sidesaddle on a large snow white mare and an ugly cat demon riding beside on a white stallion. He watched as he heard a soft wintery whistle echo through the snow storm softly blowing an ice bridge from the island to where Kurama stood watching in curiosity. Quickly, the woman and the cat demon rode over their horses' hooves clinking loudly on the ice. Kurama slowly led the metal horse backwards.
"Do not be afraid," the woman said kindly as she demounted her horse. "I am Queen Yukina, and this is my husband King Kuwabara.. We rule this place.. Tell us.. Why are you here?"
"I am looking for my mother's tapestry," Kurama replied as an icy wind blew making him shiver.
Queen Yukina nodded as she looked over Kurama's weary, tired, and bloodstained form. She stepped forward.
"Come," she began gently. "Let me heal you.. You look as though you've been through a rough battle."
"I have," he replied tiredly as Yukina raised her hands to his wounds. "Your br- eh.. King Hiei of the fire demons attacked me."
"How awful!" Kuwabara cried shaking his head. "That stupid piece of shrimp. At least Yukina when we find your brother he won't be like him."
Kurama softly coughed. 'How ironic,' he thought quietly as Yukina's warm healing power flowed through him.
"I don't think he's so bad Kazuma," she said as she watched as Kurama's wounds slowly healed. "In fact.. He almost seems.. Familiar."
Kurama quietly hummed an innocent tune in his mind his emerald eyes turning away to look at the icy sea.
"All done," Yukina said smiling as Kurama looked over his healed wounds.
"Thank you," he replied smiling. "I must get going.. Best of luck to you in finding your brother."
"Thank you," Yukina said watching him as he rode on the icy bridge.
"As they say," he called back to her. "Sometimes the things we're looking so hard for are right under our noses."
Queen Yukina and King Kuwabara smiled as they watched him disappear into the thick snow.
"What do you think he meant?" Yukina asked looking up to her husband.
"I have no idea," Kuwabara replied as she remounted her horse and rode by his side back to the crystal palace.