Chapter 5: Mika's First Heist
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, I only own Mericu, Artemis, and Mika.
We were all in the dinning room at noon on the day of the theft. Kurama was explaining what we were all to do. He had already explained to the other demons that would be outside and was now explaining everything to me, Artemis, and Mericu.
"Mericu and I will go to the first vault here," Kurama said, pointing to a room on a blue print of the building we were to raid, "Artemis you take Mika to the second vault. Take as much as you can carry and make sure she doesn't get hurt."
"No problem as long as she doesn't start crying again," Artemis said folding her arms.
"I told you I wasn't crying!" I spat at her across the table.
"And don't argue either," Kurama added.
"Sorry Kurama," I said turning my attention to him.
"Well that's about it. Go and get ready, all of you," Kurama's voice echoed through the room.
I got up and left for my room. Halfway to my bedroom, Artemis came up from behind me. "Hey," Artemis said suddenly. I hadn't noticed her until then so I jumped out of my skin from the sudden outburst.
"Don't do that!" I yelled at her, clutching my poor heart.
"Nah, that's too much fun. Anyway, this is your first theft, therefore you need to wear some nicer clothes," she said in a very perky yet frightening manner.
"You're not going to make me wear a dress are you?" I asked worried that I would have to wear something I hate so much.
"And how would you be able to fight in a dress? Don't worry so much. I meant nicer versions of the clothes your wearing now," Artemis reassured me. I let out a sigh of relief, and then felt Artemis grab my arm and drag me to my room.
I sat down on my bed and watched as the phoenix ran to my closet and threw open the doors. Artemis fingered the clothes that once belonged to my mother. Every once in awhile she would hold up something and then throw it on the floor behind her.
":sigh: Diren and her sky blue," Artemis said, throwing another set of clothes on the growing pile behind her, "I know that girl had something in a dark color."
"So why do I have to wear something nice?" I questioned my friend.
Artemis answered with half her body in the closet, "Because, think of this as your initiation into the Yushin clan." "Ah ha," she said and pulled out a set of clothes from the back of the closet, "I knew she didn't have all sky blue."
I had to admit the clothes were beautiful. Instead of cotton it was made of silk and were the colors of black and lined silver. I took the clothes in my hands and felt the soft material against my fingertips. Artemis smiled and left me to dress. I came out a few minutes later, dressed in my mother's fine clothes and in my demon form.
"You look good in that. Wait until Kurama sees," Artemis smirked. I felt my face heat up and then Artemis lead me back to the main hallway. "We're ready," Artemis yelled to the other thieves of the clan.
Kurama and the others looked up from their conversations and looked at Artemis. I hid behind her feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Oh no, there will be no hiding behind me, Mika," Artemis teased and stepped aside. She gave me a shove forward and smirked.
The other demons began to murmur. I could hear my mother's demon name and them saying that I looked like her except for my eyes which were my father's. Kurama blinked and exited his stupor. He gracefully walked over to me and took my hand. "If you're ready, we can leave," he said softly and guided me out of the hideout with the others not far behind.
As we walked through the slowly darkening forest Kurama made small conversation, since he could tell that I was a little nervous. Kurama lend over and whispered into one of my fox ears, "You look beautiful in that."
"Um…. Thank you," I replied turning redder every second.
Kurama gave me a warm smile and wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. I could smell Mericu and Artemis getting closer and I tensed a little. But I soon relaxed when I felt Kurama rest his head on top of mine.
"Aw, look at the love birds," Artemis teased. Mericu snickered and Artemis continued, "It's almost sickening." She made a gagging sound which made Mericu laugh loudly.
Kurama turned around and glared at the two laughing demons, "If you want to keep your wings, Artemis, I would keep my comments to myself if I were you."
Artemis and Mericu both stopped laughing. Artemis looked at her wings on her back and ruffled them. She turned back to Kurama and nodded. Kurama was the only person I knew that could scare Artemis.
We kept walking until finally, around sunset, we were outside the hideout (that is an old castle) that we were to raid. "Stay in the trees until after dark. Now move out and get into position," Kurama commanded just above a whisper.
The thieves split into their groups and moved through the trees that surrounded the castle. Kurama, Mericu, Artemis, and I stayed in the trees in front of the castle gates. Every once in awhile, I could see the glowing eyes of the other thieves in between the branches and leaves of the trees.
Soon the night came and darkness enveloped us. Kurama made the motion to move in. The thieves sprung from the trees and ran for the castle. The guards came from the gate and began fighting off our men and women. The good thing was that we were winning.
Kurama nodded to Artemis to signal that it was her turn. Artemis spread her red and golden wings and took off into the night air. She flew high and over the wall surrounding the castle. Artemis pulled a pouch out from her scarf that rested around her waist. She began sprinkling a powder on the inner guards. Screams from the guards could be heard before Artemis landed and signaled us that it was alright to proceed.
The three of us walked forward, around the people fighting, and through the gates. As soon as I saw my surroundings I felt like I was going to be sick. The guards that once stood were now on the ground. Their skin was melting off their bodies, more than likely from Artemis' powder.
"Lava root. Works great for getting rid of pesky guards," Artemis smirked, holding up the pouch of poison powder.
I just stared at her and then I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder. I turned my attention to the hand and followed it to Kurama's handsome face. I relaxed a little and then we continued into the castle.
The halls of the castle were made of cold gray stone and completely vacant of guards. We came to the point where we were to split up. Kurama gave me one last worried look before heading down the opposite hall with Mericu.
"Alright, lets go, Mika. We've got work to do," Artemis said before turning down the other hall.
We came to our destination and opened the door. It seemed weird that we hadn't run into any guards but we just thought that they were all preoccupied with the other members of the clan outside. I looked around and couldn't believe my eyes. The room was completely filled with gold.
"Yeah, I couldn't believe my eyes the first time here, either," Artemis said smugly, "This is the richest clan around. And so much fun to steal from." I let out a small laugh and continued my starring. "Well don't just stand there let's get a few bags full and get out of here," Artemis said, pulling me forward.
We filled the sacs, that we brought with us, to the brim and started our journey back to the main hall where we were to meet Kurama and Mericu. Though the bags were slightly heavy, my demon strength managed to keep them up.
I turned to Artemis, who was walking beside me, "That was almost to easy."
"Hold it right there," came a deep voice from the shadow in front of us.
"Who's there? Come out and fight us, jackass," Artemis yelled to the shadowed figure.
A thunder demon stepped from the shadows. He had yellow hair (no blond I mean actual yellow) that stood on end and fierce yellow eyes. He wore black martial art pants and a black tee-shirt with yellow strips that went up his sides.
"We don't take kindly to intruders," he laughed.
"When will I learn to keep my big mouth shut," I said and set down the bags that were on my back.
"This is the fun part of stealing, Mika," Artemis said with an evil grin, dropping her bags and pulling out a set of daggers.
I reached for my hair and pulled out a rose and then transformed it into a rose whip. I positioned myself and watched the thunder demon carefully.
The demon seemed to study me for a few moments before saying, "You're the daughter of Diren, the vixen who killed my brother." I cocked my head slightly and the demon sniffed the air and continued, "But unfortunately for you, you are just a pathetic half breed."
"Well this half breed is going to kick your ass!"
"Artemis!" I yelled at my partner.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you want to day that?" she asked innocently.
"Enough of this foolishness! Prepare to fight, daughter of Diren!" The thunder demon cried and then ran at us with a staff that had a metal lightening bolt on one end. (like the weapon that eldest thunder bother from Inuyasha had)
Artemis was the first to hit him, by driving one of her daggers into the guy's back. The demon (who's new name shall be Hakai) looked at her and Artemis brought the bloody dagger to her lips and licked off the blood. She gave a wicked smile before taking a glance at me.
I could tell I must of had a face of disgust on my face. I mean who wouldn't? She had just licked some guy's blood off a knife. Hadn't she heard of Hepatitis or Aids? And just in general it's just plain gross. But I quickly recovered and attacked Hakai with my whip. He dodged but I managed to cut his leg.
Hakai turned his gaze upon me. I could almost see the lightening crackle in his eyes. He went to attack me again. Hakai pulled my whip from my hands and threw it down the hall, before heading towards me.
"Little help, Artemis," I said, ready to dodge Hakai's attack.
"I'm right behind ya," Artemis said before jumping over Hakai and slicing his arm.
This gave me the chance to get my weapon. Just as I picked it up, I felt someone grab my tail. They pulled me down and I looked up into the eyes of Hakai. Artemis tried to stab him again, but he was to fast and used his staff to knock Artemis into the opposing wall.
"Now we end this," he said raising his staff, "For my brother!"
As the staff came down I rolled out of the way, but do to bad luck, Hakai sliced along my arm. I took my whip in the hand of my good arm and attempted to take off his head but he dodged. Hakai spun around and ran the lightening bolt of his staff through my abdomen. I stopped dead feeling the sudden pain. He pulled his staff back out and smiled at his handy work. I fell to my knees with my hands over the bleeding wound.
"Phoenix fire!" I heard Artemis yell.
Within seconds Hakai was turned to ashes. Artemis ran over and knelt beside me. She asked me if I was alright, but her voice was slowly fading. I heard the pounding of feet against the stone floor getting closer, but that started to fade also. I could see two blurry figures standing behind Artemis but they soon disappeared as everything went black.
(From here until I say this is in 3rd person.)
"Artemis, what the hell happened?! I thought I told you to make sure she didn't get hurt!" Youko Kurama yelled at Artemis, while picking Mika up in his arms.
"I couldn't help it. I-I was knocked aside. Please, forgive me," Artemis said a little sad from getting her best friend's daughter killed.
"Kurama, she's still breathing," Mericu observed, "She's still clinging onto life."
"Then we must get her medical attention," Kurama said calmly, feeling slightly happier at the small ray of hope.
"But we're no where near the hideout," Artemis pointed out.
"There's a village not far from here, Kurama. If you're willing to take a risk," Mericu suggested.
"More than willing," Kurama said looking down at Mika's bleeding form, "Tell the others to head back and take what they can. We'll head to the village immediately."
Mericu nodded and left with lightening speed. Kurama and Artemis met him outside and the three of them journeyed off through the woods to the closest village. Kurama ran through the forest, guided by Mericu, holding Mika's unconscious body tightly against his, with Artemis flying over head.
"It's not much further, Kurama," Mericu shouted back to his friend.
"Hold on, Mika, just a little longer," Kurama whispered, gazing at the young vixen bleeding in his arms.
****That's it for chapter 5. Kurama got a little OOC at the end didn't he? Oh well. People have to be sappy once in their life time. I mean what would you do if the one you cared for was inches from death? Anyway I already started chapter 6 so it should be up soon. Til then.****
