Chapter 55
Unlikely Help
Cetesis walked back into the throne room. "Koenma knows our demands my lord" she said bowing. "Good" Seiga said. "Won't he send that Spirit Detective and his team to stop us?" she asked. "I'm sure you can keep them off long enough to complete the ritual" Seiga replied. Cetesis smirked.
"Take Kairi to her cell" he commanded. "Very well" she said standing up. She walked to Kairi and started chanting a spell. Chains shot out of the ground and wrapped around Kairi. One of them flew to Cetesis and landed in her hand. Kairi's arms were now chained behind her back and the one Cetesis held was around her neck. "Come on" Cetesis said tugging on it. Kairi yelped in pain and started walking. They walked out of the throne room.
"I have to commend you Kairi. You evaded us for so long. Oh wait that wolf you were with did most of the work didn't he?" Cetesis asked. "You won't get away with this. He'll come to rescue me" Kairi replied. Cetesis laughed in amusement. "So you think he'll be your knight in shinning armor and save you from the evil lord and his sorceress. Give me a break. I've been watching you both the whole time. Guys like him only help others for their own personal gain. Now that your gone he'll no doubt go find someone else" Cetesis replied. "No way. Muraku isn't like that" Kairi replied defiantly. "Someone's in denial" Cetesis said coolly.
They stopped in front of a door. Cetesis used a spell to open it and then shoved Kairi in. "See you tonight" she said before slamming the door shut. The chains around Kairi disappeared. She looked around the cell. It was very primitive with a straw bed with no sheets, a bucket of water, and a bared window. She walked to the bed and lay down.
Her body hurt all over and her kimono had a few rips in it. Cetesis's words echoed through her head. She's not right. Muraku will rescue me. He may not be the most sociable or polite guy around but I know I can always rely on him. He's probably on his way now. Oh who am I kidding? I bet he's glad to be rid of me. All we did was argue. And besides, now he doesn't have to put up with my snapping. He's not going to come she thought as tears filled her eyes. She cried herself to sleep.
Later that night
"So that's the place" Yusuke said as the team reached the mountain. "Yes, that's where Seiga is" Botan said. "The moon should be out soon. We have to hurry" Riku said. "Any ideas?" Yusuke asked. "Stealth would be the obvious choice but it takes to much time. An all out charge wouldn't be wise since we don't know what we're up against. We need a fast but effective method" Kurama said.
"No problem" Nami said. Everyone looked at her. "Have you guys forgotten how fast me and my man here are" she said putting an arm around Hiei. 'Not here' Hiei said. Nami pouted but let go.
"That gives me an idea" Kurama said. "Go on" Riku said. "With their speed Hiei and Nami could take out most of the guards without them even realizing what's going on" he said. "Great idea Kurama" Botan said cheerfully. "What do you think Hiei?" Yusuke asked. "Hn" he replied. "That's a yes" Nami said. "I'll go along to" Riku said. "Think you can keep up wolf boy?" Nami asked. "Have you forgotten my speed" Riku said.
"All right then let's get this over with" Yusuke said. Everyone nodded and Riku, Hiei, and Nami flitted off. "I'll watch from the air" Botan said as she took off. "Let's hurry before they steal all the action" Yusuke said. They started running up the mountain.
"Yusuke" Kurama said. "Yea" Yusuke said. "I've noticed Kuwabara has been unusually quiet since this mission began" said the fox. "Yea I've noticed to" Yusuke said. They both looked at Kuwabara who was running behind them. He seemed to be thinking about something else and had a pissed look on his face. "Hey Kuwabara, what's with the quiet act?" Yusuke asked. "I was supposed to take Crystal to the dance tonight but I had to cancel cause of this mission" he replied. "Wait. The dance was tonight?!" Yusuke said. Kuwabara nodded. "I was supposed to take Keiko. She's gonna kill me" Yusuke said. Kurama chuckled in amusement.
At the palace the three demons were brining hell on the guards. "These fools have no skill" Hiei said as he sliced another. He was caught off guard by one that attacked from behind. Before he could react, Nami sliced it in two. "Better watch your back better fire boy" she said. She spun around and killed another. They stood back to back. "We're waisting time here. Let's finish off these weaklings and find a real challenge" he said.
While they fought in the palace Riku was fighting the guards on the palace wall. "Is that all you got" Riku said as he knocked his opponents weapon out of his hand. He kicked him back and killed one behind him and then finished off the other. "Got open the gate for the others" he said. He grabbed a shield from a dead guard and threw it like a Frisbee. It sliced every guard in its path in two. Riku ran over the pieces toward a lever near to gate. He was stopped when more guards appeared. "Damit" he said as he started slicing through their ranks.
Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara were fast approaching their destination. "They still haven't gotten that gate open" Kurama said. "Is that Riku?" Yusuke said pointing to the figure fighting off waves upon waves of attackers. A round object went flying toward them and was caught by Kuwabara. "AAAHHHHH IT"S A HEAD" he said as he threw it to the ground and his behind Kurama. Yusuke shook his head and continued running.
Riku was starting to get frustrated as the guards just kept coming. "I have to get to that lever" he said as he prepared his claws. "CRESCENT CLAWS" his attack created a gap in the enemy ranks. He attempted to run through it but was stopped when one of them grabbed him around the waist. Riku fought back as more guards joined in.
Suddenly, the sound of the gate opening could be heard. Riku and the guards stopped fighting and look toward the lever. Botan was floating over it with a cheerful smile on her face. "Now just to be safe" she said as she pulled her bat from her kimono. She then whacked the lever with it and broke it in two. "There now. Riku finish up here so we can met the others" she said. Riku smirked. "Very well" he said. He gripped his sword with both hands and with one mighty swing sliced through all the guards that had surrounded him. "Let's go" she said. Riku nodded and they headed for the throne room entrance.
They met up with Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara. "Bout time you got that gate open" Yusuke said. "Well it was Botan who actually pulled the lever" Riku said. "Where are the shrimps?" Kuwabara said. "Any ideas Riku?" Kurama asked. "No, we split up when we got in. They cleared this area up while I went to open the gate" Riku replied. "Well how do we find them?" Botan said. "I'll sniff them out" Riku said as he got on all fours and started to track the two.
He stopped it front of a tree. "They're behind it" he said. Yusuke walked over to it and peaked around the trunk. He saw Hiei and Nami making out at the base of the tree. He sweatdropped and turned to the others. "They're busy" he said. The others looked as well. The two didn't seem to notice. After five more minutes they were getting impatient. "Ahem" Botan said. Hiei and Nami froze and looked toward them. "Are you two done?" Riku asked. They scrambled to their feet blushing madly.
Riku was about to make another comment when something caught his eye. "Guys, the moon's out (I bet you thought it was Muraku)" he said. Everyone looked to the sky and sure enough the full moon shown brilliantly I the sky. "We gotta finish this" Yusuke said as they headed for the doors to the throne room. "Okay, who wants to break it down?" Yusuke asked. Instead the doors opened on their own. "Look's like they've been expecting us" Riku said. "It would be rude to disappoint them" Kurama said. They walked through them.
Backup a few minutes with Kairi
Kairi woke up when her door opened. Standing there was Cetesis. "It's time get up" she said. Kairi remained in bed. Cetesis growled and walked to her. She grabbed Kairi by the hair and pulled her out of the bed. "Always do as I say" Cetesis said as she summoned more chains. "Come on" she said as she tugged on the chains.
"You'll do the ritual quickly. Someone's come to rescue you" she said. A smile crossed Kairi's face. "But it's not him. It's some of Koenma's lackeys" Cetesis added. Kairi was visibly disappointed. At least someone's come she thought.
They arrived at the throne room to find Seiga watching a crystal ball. "They're impressive fighters. You'll have your work cut out for you Cetesis" he said. "I think I can handle them my lord" she replied. She brought Kairi to his side. "Leave one of them alive so we can use him to persuade Kairi" he said. "As you wish" Cetesis said as she walked to the middle of the room. She used a spell to open the door.
Yusuke and the team walked cautiously into the room. "Welcome to the court of Lord Seiga" Cetesis said. "And you are" Yusuke said. "The sorceress Cetesis at your service" she replied. "So where is Seiga?" Riku asked. "Right here" Seiga said from his throne. They looked to where he was sitting. "The girl next to him is Kairi" Botan said.
Kairi looked at her rescuers. A half demon, a kitsune, a fire demon, a half angel half devil, a ferry girl, a human, and…oh my god. Is that Muraku? No he has both eyes and their golden. Besides they have different auroras. Must be his brother. Muraku never has told me about his family she thought.
The doors closed and a wooden slide lock kept it in place. "Why don't you all come at me at once?" Cetesis said. "It's you funeral" Yusuke said. The others prepared their weapons and charged.
"SHADOW OF ILLUSIONS" two shadows sprang from the ground and attacked Hiei and Nami. Hiei sliced through his but it transformed into a dragon and snapped at it with its fangs. Nami's shadow took the shape of a scorpion. She did her best to dodge its stinger.
"ROSE WHIP" Kurama slashed at Cetesis with it but she saw it coming and dodged it. Riku came from behind with his sword and swung but she kicked his stomach before he could complete it and caused him to stumble back. "SPIRIT GUN" Yusuke's attack grazed her robe. She growled and landed on her feet. "You'll pay for that" she said.
She sensed something behind her and turned around. Kuwabara was standing there with Spirit Sword ready. "What are you waiting for?" she asked. "I don't fight girls, it goes against my code" he said. "Humans and your ridiculous codes" she said. She jumped out of the way of Kurama's whip. "You're a crafty one. I have a special spell for you: she said.
She concentrated as a black glow surrounded her. "BLACK DESTINY" a portal opened up behind Kurama. "Kurama behind you" Riku said. Kurama jumped out of the way before it could close around him. "BLACK DESTINY" a portal opened on where he would land. He saw Riku rushing toward him. He tied his whip to his wrist and threw the rest at the wolf. Riku jumped forward and caught it. Kurama dangled in the portal with only his whip keeping him from going in completely. "Hold on Kurama Riku said as he started to pull his friend up. "Hurry it's closing" Botan said as she helped him. Cetesis took that moment to slice through the whip with a blade spell. "Kurama!!!" Botan cried. Riku held her back as the portal closed with Kurama still inside. "I'm sorry Botan, There's nothing we can do" he said as she cried on his shoulder.
"Aw, do you miss your boyfriend. You can join him if you wish. He's now in a world of darkness where he'll slowly lose his mind" Cetesis said. "You bitch!!!" Botan yelled as Riku held her back from trying to maul the sorceress. "Bring back my Kurama!!!" she yelled. Cetesis merely laughed.
"SPIRIT GUN" Cetesis was engulfed in an explosion of blue light. "So much for that bitch" Yusuke said. "That's what you think" Cetesis said as she emerged from the smoke. "How did you…" Riku said. "I put a barrier up at the last second" she replied. "How do we beat her?" Riku mumbled.
"I think I'll use my last special spell on the half breed and the missing link" she said pointing to Kuwabara. "Hey!!!" he said. "Get ready. NIGHTMARE HYPNOSIS" she sent a two black energy spheres at Yusuke and Kuwabara. They both crossed their arms to block them but when they hit the two were surrounded by a back glow. "What did you do to us?" Yusuke asked. "You'll see" Cetesis said. Suddenly everything went black for Yusuke and Kuwabara.
Yusuke opened his eyed. "Where am I?" he said. He then realized he was being held down. "What the?" he said. "So you've finally woken up" a familiar voice said. Yusuke looked to the source and saw the Saint Beast Suzaku. "But your in prison" Yusuke said. "No I'm not. We're in Maze Castle and me and the other Suzakus knocked you unconscious" he said motioning to the six other Suzakus holding him down. "While you were out your friends arrived but I dealt with them easily enough" he said pointing to the roof. On top of three spikes were the heads of Kurama, Hiei, and Kuwabara. "You'll be joining them soon" Suzaku said. "Why you" Yusuke said as he struggled to get free. A surge of electricity was sent through his body.
Suzaku's bird flew through the window. "Master, your new slaves have brought her as you commanded" she said. "Excellent send them in" he said. Two controlled people walked dragging someone. "Keiko!!!" Yusuke yelled. "Yusuke help me" she said. He tried to get out but another surge was sent through him. "My she is quit lovely for a human" Suzaku said as he cupped her chin. He smirked and forcefully kissed Keiko on the lips. "Enjoy the show detective, it'll be the last thing you see before I kill you" he said as he ripped Keiko's shirt off.
"KEIKO!!!" Yusuke yelled. "What did you do to him?" Riku growled. "He's experiencing his worst nightmare" Cetesis said. Riku watched as Yusuke struggled against invisible enemies. "I did the same to the human" she said.
Kuwabara stood up in a forest. "What just happened?" he asked. "Well, well, what have we here?" Hiei said from a tree. Kuwabara looked up and saw Hiei and Nami looking evilly at him. "I'm glad I found you guys. Where are we?" Kuwabara asked. The two demons pulled out there weapons. "We're not here to help you, we're here to kill you" Hiei said. Kuwabara froze. "You'll pay for calling us shrimps all the time" Nami said as they jumped from the tree. Kuwabara screamed and bolted into the forest.
Riku watched as Kuwabara started running all over the room screaming stuff about crazy shrimps. "Idiot" said Cetesis.
Nami dodged another thrust from the stinger. She was starting to get tired. The shadow took that moment to shift into a serpent with multiple heads. "You're kidding me" she said. All the heads attacked at once. Nami held most of them back with her scimitars but one managed to bite her left torso. That broke her defense and soon each head was biting her.
"Nami!!!" Hiei yelled as he flitted to her. He sliced the serpents heads of but he knew to shadow would only repair itself. The shadows prepared to attack. "You want her, then you'll have to get through me first" he said.
So now Kurama was in another world, Yusuke and Kuwabara are in their worst nightmares, Nami is wounded, and Hiei is fighting two shadows. "You look a lot like him" Cetesis said. "Who?" Riku asked. "The guy that was protecting Kairi. We would have had her months ago if he hadn't interfered" she replied. "And I care because?" said Riku. "Just thought you'd like to know" she said.
"All I want now is to kill you, Seiga, and get Kairi out of here" Riku said. "I want to watch your friends suffer some more so you'll have to sit tight" she said as she fired a green blast at him. When it hit Riku fell to his knees. He couldn't move. "Paralyzing spell" Cetesis said. Riku growled and struggled to move.
He heard her make fun of his friends' suffering. As he watched he could fell a power building up. His friends were in grave danger and his will to help them would allow him to transform. He started to concentrate on the feeling.
A bang at the doors caused him to loss the power. He, Botan, Cetesis, Seiga, and Kairi looked toward the doors. Another bang was heard. Someone was trying to get in. The next bang caused the doors to crack. A katana was thrust through the small space between the two doors and sliced through the lock. The doors creaked open and a figure walked in.
Riku's eyes winded when he saw the intruder. His hand clutched his katana, his purple trench coat swayed behind him, his now blue eye was narrow, and his hair covered the other. Even with the changes he'd been through Riku recognized him and he was only able to say one thing.
"Muraku"
Oh cliffe. Muraku finally makes his appearance. Wait till the others find out.
If you haven't already heard, I'm a boy and the 'sis' at the end of chapter 54 is now a 'bro.'
Next chapter, Muraku enters the battle to rescue Kairi. Review please.
