Tori the Hanyou: Wow! Chapter 19! Who'd have thought I'd make it this far?
Oh well. Since that was a pretty bad cliffie I left y'all on, I'll just do
the review answers, disclaimer, and get on with what you've been waiting
for, okies?
FaNged-1: I like your username! Heh, I explained that to Kayzie too. It's a screw up. You caught me! I'M A BAD AUTHORESS! (Wails) I tried to fix it in this chapter, and I'm hoping it'll stop the questions. Enjoy!
Kira the Hanyou: Well, uhh, I'm not really planning on any YYH and Inuyasha crossovers anytime soon, but I'm glad u like my stories! -; I suppose I could put you in here somewhere, heck, I did it for Kayzie (look below). Thanks for giving me that info. If I find a place to put you, I will. I've got a very fun ending planned out after this chapter. This might be my last action segment of the story. But, if I can't put you in here, I'll try to find you a place in the sequel (Yes, there WILL be one! - I'm soo happy!!) So bear with me please.
Kayzie Kaiba: No, u didn't miss anything. Heh, I needed to separate them, just for this lil' battle thing. I guess you can call me a bad authoress, but I'm gonna try to fix that mistake in this chapter. Thanks a lot for dedicating your story to me, I'm honored, really, I am. I read it, and it looks very good, so keep up the good work.
Itsabobthing92: I know someone's usually with Inuyasha, but you won't find out what happens to him until I write the sequel, which, OBTW, I haven't decided on a name for yet. Fighting Back 2 sounds so uncreative, and that's not my style. I hope your cat's cooled down by now! Another BTW, it's spelled discipline, lol. (Don't mind me, I'm a spelling nut) But you're funny, lol! P.S. Yeah, I'm one of those evil writers. -;
Black Mage Tsucasa, pinkjingling: Thanks a lot!
Kanna Fan: Thanks a lot! To tell you the truth, I already HAVE a prequel written. My story, YuGiOh! Trapped in the Next Dimension, pretty much sums up how Tori and Yugi got together in the first place. I know, Hiei rocks, doesn't he? As for Yugi, he was actually upstairs in his room when they went to visit the Game Shop. You don't think he'd need a rest after being attacked by the Dragon of the Darkness Flame??? SHEESH!! Lol, jk! I was hoping to make this story a 20-shot, but now I see it's gonna be a bit longer than that. Heh...
UltaAnimeFangurl2004: Yeah, I think it'll only be a couple more chapters, cuz I have some really fun stuff I wanna throw in before it ends (smiles evilly).
Tomboy124352: I don't get what you mean by lighten up, but as for the YTJ group, if you mean the Yugi, Tristan, Joey group, Yugi and Tristan are at Yugi's house, and Joey's with the others. If you mean Yusuke, Tori, and Joey, you'll find out in this chapter!
Starangel4899: Well, at least you made it to the next round! Congrats! As for the club thing, I'll check it out, okies?
DISCLAIMER: Read the previous disclaimer, cuz I'm not saying it again...MAN, this gets annoying...
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Fighting Back
Chapter 19: The Last Artifact
As soon as the click sounded, Hiei was gone, shooting through the hallways, murder glinting in his fierce eyes.
The others did their best to follow, but by the time they were out in the hallway, he was already leaping up the stairs, not bothering with the 'stupid human electronic transportation device' translation: the elevator.
(With the YTJ group)
Tori froze, dropping the talkie as the new threat approached, his Blade drawn. Yusuke and Joey stood in front of her, fists held up angrily, daring the tall duelist to attack them.
His blue eyes flashed with confidence, and Yusuke let out a small growl.
Tori knew they were in trouble. The Blade could easily possess either one of them if he swung it. She didn't know what to think, her mind felt only one thing: fear. Now she was wishing she'd let Hiei come with her; the guy had been positively adamant about letting her go by herself with Yusuke and Joey to the top floor where the most danger was.
Kurama had been insistent he and her have some separated time; it was only a little while, he'd reasoned. Still, Hiei had been angry about it, mentally threatening Tori about wanting to separate before it was time to. Naturally, she'd ignored him, still not grasping the fact of what he really could do to her if she didn't obey him.
Now, more than ever, she was wishing she HAD obeyed. But, of course, she'd never seen Yusuke's powers in full swing. She knew Joey didn't possess any special powers. Sure, he was a good duelist, but that wasn't going to save them from Kaiba. She'd seen him street fight, though, and he wasn't a pushover. She didn't think that'd help much, sadly.
As Kaiba came closer, Yusuke examined his features, something he did to better understand his opponent. This was actually a technique he'd picked up from Kurama. What he noticed in Kaiba's look seemed to surprise him. Kaiba wasn't giving off a regular human aura. His eyes suddenly weren't the blue he'd seen before, but a violent purple seemed to mix with them. He remembered what he'd heard from Botan over the talkie: the Blade would slowly possess a non-demon holder, and decided that was the reason for his strange transformation.
He glared, readying his punch, but Joey shot forward first.
"EAT THIS, KAIBA!!" he yelled, angrily throwing the payback blow for all the insults Kaiba had sent him. But, it never hit. Kaiba was gone and behind him before Joey came within two feet. The Blade flew down, and Yusuke acted faster than Tori had ever seen him before, sliding around Kaiba and dragging Joey to the floor to avoid the deadly slash that would've taken his head off.
Instead of through Joey's neck, the sword stuck in the wall, and Kaiba pulled to get it out, but that gave Yusuke as much time as he needed to throw a Spirit Punch at his opponent's stomach. Kaiba flew backwards, straight for Tori. She snapped out of it, just in time, leaping backwards to avoid the collision. He skidded on the floor, stopping at her feet.
"Tori! MOVE!" yelled Yusuke. Too late. Kaiba quickly recovered, grabbing Tori's foot and dragging her to the ground. She yelped in surprise, but Kaiba suddenly let loose a howl of pain and released her.
A long gash covered his upper arm, and Tori quickly scrambled away, running straight into Hiei's outstretched arms. Hiei put her behind him, glaring daggers at Kaiba, his sword slightly dripping with blood. He growled, his crimson orbs meeting the now violet eyes of Kaiba. Yusuke stood behind the duelist, fingers pointed in the gun formation. "Hiei, I suggest you two get outta the way, unless you want to be French fried with the freak there!" he said, gesturing to Kaiba.
Hiei knew perfectly well how powerful Yusuke's Spirit Gun was, and Yusuke wasn't lying. He turned, grabbed Tori, and the two suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind Joey, who jumped in surprise. Yusuke charged up the shot, while Kaiba recovered from Hiei's blow, standing up to face the challengers.
"Heh...you really think your little flashlight's gonna stop me?" he sneered, speaking for the first time, and Tori and Joey noticed his voice wasn't at all normal. Yusuke smirked.
"Spirit-"
"WAIT!! Don't!!!" cried a voice, a girl's voice. Everyone turned, and a girl ran past Joey, Hiei, Tori, and Yusuke, standing in front of Kaiba, arms out. "Don't hurt him! Please!" she cried. The four of them stared. The girl looked no more than 14, and she had a fierce determination in her eyes as she faced Yusuke furiously, apparently trying to protect the boy behind her.
"Who the heck are you?" asked Joey.
"Kayzie, stay out of this," snarled Kaiba, still eyeing Yusuke's glowing fingertips. The girl turned to Kaiba.
"Seto, what's the matter with you?? You've been acting FAR too weird! Don't go picking fights!!" she snapped.
"SETO!!!" came another voice, younger. Kaiba turned to see Mokuba run down the hallway towards him. Before anyone could react, he'd thrown his arms around the elder Kaiba's waist, crying uncontrollably.
Tori looked at Yusuke.
"Put it down," she said quietly. He glanced at her.
"Why?"
"Hello?? That's Kaiba's little brother! You don't wanna go shooting two innocent people!" she said angrily, "though I'm not sure who the girl is."
"Seto, please stop!! I don't know what's wrong with you, but please stop!!" sobbed Mokuba. Kaiba's eyes returned to normal for only a minute as he gazed with worry at his younger sibling. He softly rested his hand on the head buried in his chest.
"Mokuba..." he said quietly. The others came up behind them, stopping to give them some space. Kagome saw, with relief, that Tori didn't seemed injured.
The girl called Kayzie watched Kaiba with a slightly hurt gaze. He looked at her, as though just realizing she was there. "What the heck are you two doing out here??" he said angrily. "These people are dangerous! Go in my office now!" he ordered. They stared at him, not seeming to register what he said. "Did you hear me??"
"They're not dangerous, Seto..." muttered Mokuba. Kaiba looked down at the untidy, black-haired boy. "They're my friends, and they came to help you."
He gave Mokuba a confused look.
"Help me?? I don't need help with anything! What the heck WOULD I need help with?" he snapped.
"That..." Mokuba pointed to the Demonic Blade like it was the vilest thing in the world.
"My sword?" he asked angrily.
"Mokuba's right," said Kayzie. Kaiba rounded on her. "Ever since you found it, you've been acting...strange..." He shook his head.
"I don't know what's gotten into you two, but Mokuba," he looked down at his brother, "I know you've been poisoned by these people's nonsense." He gestured around to the demons and humans surrounding him.
"It's not nonsense!!" snapped Mokuba, tearing up again, "They're right!! Put that thing down now!! Or give it to him!!" He pointed to Hiei, who looked surprised. Kaiba did, too.
"Why him?"
Mokuba fell silent. He knew his brother didn't like to believe in things such as demons, and he'd blow his stack if he found out Mokuba did.
"Because...just do it, please..." he said sadly. Kaiba looked at a loss. He hated when his brother cried, mostly when it was his fault. He shook his head suddenly, feeling the power gripping him again. His sword hand raised, and his other made a move to push the little kid off of him.
"Mokuba...run..." he muttered, making the boy gasp. Kayzie jumped forward and pulled the younger Kaiba from his brother, backing off just as the sword swung.
Tori took Kayzie by the shoulder.
"Better go to his office and hide," she advised. Kayzie looked painfully back as the purple returned to the KaibaCorp President's eyes.
"But..."
"Go, we can handle this." Kayzie hesitated.
"Did you hear her? Move it!" snapped Hiei. Kayzie gave a small choke and dragged a protestant Mokuba away from the danger, towards the office. "Go with them," Hiei muttered to Tori. She stared at him like he was nuts.
"What?? No way! I'm gonna..."
"Don't tell me what you are and aren't gonna do!" snarled Hiei, making Tori jump, "You've had to go through this already, so get out of the way! NOW!!" Tori still didn't move, she stared helplessly at Joey or Yusuke, hoping they'd reason with him. Kurama was on the other side of the unpredictable Kaiba, so he couldn't help her. "Don't make me force you..." he muttered, in the most dangerous tone he had, and damn, that was dangerous.
Tori felt a chill down her spine as he spoke the words, and glared furiously at him. 'I'll punish you for being disobedient later...for now, get out of harm's way,' he said in her head, making Tori's eyes widen. Punish her???
Kaiba seemed to have lost the mental battle against the Blade's control, and he'd leapt at Joey. No more time. It was now or never. Join the battle, or hide. Tori didn't care if she made him angry or not (big mistake), but she knew what it was like to face the Blade, and there wasn't any escape, once it had you...
She stood, indecisive, until Hiei growled angrily, picking her up bridal style and leaping out of the way as Joey was flung into the wall where they'd been standing. He raced toward the office, dropping her inside. "Stay..." he snarled, slamming the door. Tori stood up furiously, pounding the door and rattling the doorknob, but it was locked.
Hiei pulled his sword tip out of the door lock, and raced back to the battle; knowing she was safe, nothing held him back now...
Yusuke was able to knock Kaiba in the back of the head with his Spirit Punch. Kurama had jumped in, sending one of his plant seeds at Kaiba, growing it quickly, commanding it to grab him. It did, and he stood, startled for a minute. He quickly recovered, and an evil smirk appeared on his face.
"You really think this will hold me, Yoko?" he said, snickering. Everyone froze, especially Kurama.
"What the..."
Suddenly, the plant split down the center, and Kaiba leapt out. The Blade glowed purple as he slashed it at the temporarily shocked fox demon...
"KURAMA!!" screamed Kagome as he fell. Kaiba leapt past Yusuke and a knocked-out Joey, running towards the stairs to the roof.
"How the hell did he know?" muttered Kuwabara. Kagome knelt down near her mate, shaking him gently.
"Kurama?? Kurama!! Damnit! Answer me, please!!" she cried. A small moan answered her, as the kitsune picked himself up off the floor.
"Kagome..." he muttered.
"Yes?"
"...Run..."
He leapt up, the blank stare appearing in his emerald gaze. Kagome screamed, and everyone else jumped back, horrified. Kurama was gone.
Yusuke came up behind, preparing to knock him back to his senses with an old-fashioned punch. But he never made it. Kurama's Rose Whip appeared around Yusuke's arms, throwing him into the wall.
Hiei stared, dazed. Kurama...taken under control...who'd have thought? He shook it off as Yusuke crashed into the wall, and leapt at the kitsune.
"Wake up, fox!" he snarled, moving lightning quick, pressing his sword against Kurama's throat. He was unfazed. An evil smile pulled at his lips, turning his face into the most horrible look anyone had ever seen. Hiei himself was shocked inwardly.
"Go ahead, kill me, Hiei," he snickered, "You'll only be killing your best friend. We don't want that now, do we?"
"SHUT UP!" Hiei roared. Kurama's smirk deepened, as Hiei hadn't noticed the Death Plant approaching him from behind...
(Meanwhile)
Tori heard Kagome's cry for Kurama, she'd heard everything, pressing her ligress ears against the locked office door. Silent tears poured down her face; Kurama was suffering the same thing she had. She heard Hiei yell at him, before Mokuba tugged at her sleeve.
"Tori? Is it safe?" he asked. She shook her head, trying to hide the damn tears.
"Far from it. But don't worry, everything will be fine," she said quietly. Kayzie sat in a chair, silently sobbing as well. Kaiba was possessed by his own sword. She couldn't do a thing about it, either. She couldn't fight, not against him.
Tori slid to the floor, staring at it. Suddenly, her heart went into a painful wrench.
"Hiei!" she gasped.
(Outside)
Hiei gritted his teeth to prevent a cry from escaping his throat. Kurama's Death Plant had gotten him. Botan had grabbed Kagome, Mai, Bakura, Serenity, and Duke and high-tailed it back to the stairs. Kagome was screaming the whole time for Kurama, trying desperately to reach him, trying to free herself. The only one she saw was Kurama; the only one she felt was Kurama. She HAD to get to him, not caring if it meant hurting the one who was trying to protect her from him.
Hiei tried to move his sword hand, but it felt paralyzed. He'd kill Kaiba...for first turning Tori against him, and now Kurama. Yusuke was powering up his Spirit Gun, and Kuwabara was trying to hack at the Death Plant to free Hiei. Normally, he could've cared less, but Hiei was really the only one who could take Kurama on, face-to-face.
Joey, in the meantime, had finally woken up, and Kurama's Rose Whip had wrapped about his wrist, the thorns digging in. He, too, was trying not to show weakness by letting a sound escape his throat. Yusuke took aim at the writhing plant.
It was horrible. They were a team. The four of them were a team. Now one of them was fighting the others, turning that foursome into a threesome trying to free the last.
"SPIRIT GUN!!"
(BAM!)
The shot fired, incinerating the plant.
Hiei fell, but the plant's spikes had injected him with a temporary paralyzing potion, and he fought it as best as he could, trying to knock Kurama out, but the kitsune suddenly released Joey, leaping over them, running for the roof.
"Oh, no you don't!" yelled Yusuke, chasing after him. Kuwabara followed. Joey made a move to follow, but he turned back to Hiei.
"Need a hand?" he asked. Hiei glared at him like he usually did to Kuwabara.
"No, you insolent human, I don't. Now get out of my face before you resume your knocked-out state," he snapped.
"Jeez, someone needs an attitude adjustment. Ok, then, gimme a call when you do," said Joey.
"That won't be anytime soon!" snarled Hiei at the retreating human's back. He stood wearily, shaking the paralysis off and following the party to the roof.
(In the office)
Tori went back to the opposite wall, turning to face the door. Gritting her teeth, infuriated, she leapt forward, charging at the door with her super speed.
Kayzie watched, sitting next to Mokuba on the couch.
"You think she'll break it?" she asked. Mokuba shrugged.
She charged forward, feeling every angry feeling towards Hiei fueling her speed. Perfect, exactly what she needed. She turned her shoulder, bracing for the impact.
It came; she slammed into the cedar door, snapping off the hinges on the other side, throwing the door out of her way, snarling to herself.
"Try containing me now, Hiei." She looked around, seeing no one. She noticed the roof staircase door was open. Mokuba and Kayzie stepped warily out. "Mokuba, where's that lead?" Tori pointed to the open door.
"The roof, I think. Seto never lets me play up there."
"I'm going. If you two want, you can come, but I think...err...Seto," she tried to say it with the best tone possible, "would prefer if you stayed here."
The two looked at her like she was nuts.
"You think we're gonna stay here while he's up there getting hurt? Hell no!" snapped Kayzie.
"I agree! Whether you two like it or not, I'm going!!" he snapped, running towards the door.
Tori smirked.
"I always knew I liked that kid for a reason," she muttered, running after him. Kayzie followed.
(On the roof)
Yusuke dodge-rolled out of the way as Kurama's Rose Whip lashed out at him, firing his second Spirit Gun bullet at him. Kurama moved like liquid, though, and he jumped up, flipping, landing behind Kuwabara and throwing a seed at the unsuspecting human.
Before Yusuke could say a word, the vines emerged from the seed, wrapping tightly around Kuwabara, knocking him to the ground. Kurama moved in for the kill, but Yusuke yelled out,
"Hey, Kurama! That's not your style! You NEVER attack someone while they're helpless!" he said in that annoyingly cocky tone of his. It worked; Kurama turned on Yusuke instead, his blank green eyes searching out Yusuke's form, wondering what to do. Hiei leapt for the immobile fox, his sword drawn. He'd have to hit him over the head with the hilt, just to knock him out.
What he wasn't aware of was Kaiba's fast-approaching form from behind...
Tori was first out of the stairs to see the awful sight. The glowing Blade struck deeply into Hiei's shoulder, knocking him out of the air and to the ground. Yusuke and Kuwabara stared in horror. Hiei had been their last hope...and now he too was gone...
Tori became rigid, unable to move, her throat gone dry. Hiei...
Kayzie and Mokuba came up behind her to see Yusuke and Kuwabara being cornered by Kurama and Kaiba. Tori trembled violently as Hiei, too, rose from the ground, snarling and thrashing his head about, trying to shake off the Blade's control.
She knew it wouldn't work...
Kurama couldn't escape it...
He wouldn't either...
Tori smelt Kagome's scent as she raced up the stairs, her face tearstained. She drew out the Hyper Bow, aiming for Kaiba, her face contorted with rage.
Kayzie stopped her.
"No! He's not responsible!! It's the sword's fault!" she cried.
"If he drops the sword, it will release its control on everyone," said Botan, panting, running up the stairs. Tori was silent, still in shock from witnessing Hiei's mental imprisonment...something she never knew was possible...
"He's gone..." she muttered.
"Who?" asked Botan.
Tori shakily raised a finger to Hiei's form as it approached the cornered Spirit Detectives. Botan looked, and nearly screamed.
"Botan...what would happen if the sword were destroyed?" asked Tori quietly.
"I don't know...I don't think it can be broken...it never has..."
"Guess there's a first time for everything," snarled Tori, bringing out her claws. Kagome stood next to her, Hyper Bow in hand.
"Let's go," she said. The girls took off across the asphalt roof, heading straight for the boys. Tori felt her ligress emerging. She transformed into her half-cat form, racing at Kaiba with everything she could muster, not hearing Botan's screams to stay back. Kagome leapt at him, Bow ready to knock him over the head...
CRACK!
She was frozen in midair, as a VERY familiar Rose Whip was wrapped around her arms, the thorns digging painfully into her fragile skin. She looked in horror as Kurama's horrible smirk stared back at her.
Tori hadn't noticed her friend's absence; she was headed for the one thing that would end it all...the one thing that had hurt both her and her loved ones...not to mention her mate...the bond between mates was forcing her on with absolutely every ounce of power she had...
Closer...
She was blinded to all else but the Blade...
The horrid thing that had to be destroyed...
Her claws itched to dice it in half...
The wind whistled in her sensitive ears...deafening her to all...
SLAM!
She was thrown with the greatest force off course, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling in that oh-so-familiar way...and she realized with horror...
"Hiei," she whimpered, as she skidded to the asphalt. She wasn't alone. Hiei had her flipped onto her back, his sword pressed against her throat.
That was it. Her rage was gone...replaced by softness for her mate... She stared helplessly into his crimson orbs, her muscles relaxing in the way they did when he touched her...when he held her...even like this... 'Damn mark!' she thought.
Hiei's look was positive murder. The only looks she'd gotten from him had never been like this. This one, he was actually MEANING to kill her.
She trembled, gulping. She'd failed. She'd failed Hiei. She'd failed her friends. The only thing to do was hope he'd make it quick... A quick death...something totally unlike Hiei...
Suddenly, she felt it, her ligress freeing herself from him. She seemed to be saying to her, 'If you won't do this, I'll do it myself!'
She leapt into possession of Tori, forcing her to throw off the demon. She leapt to her feet, snarling and roaring. Hiei jumped back, his sword ready. She was going to try her best to free him, even if it meant hurting him a little bit. Hey, he needed a bit of messing up, anyway. She dodged his charge.
Kagome felt herself drowning in Kurama's mind trick. Her eyelids drooped as swirls danced before her, hypnotizing her, holding her. She felt like she could simply watch them forever. Her grip on the Hyper Bow loosened greatly, until it fell from her delicate fingertips, falling to the ground, making its hollow clatter; the clatter of a fallen fighter. It echoed through the area, attracting the attention of a certain ligress-possessed girl.
Tori turned to see Kurama had a hold of Kagome, both mentally and physically. She was helpless. Tori turned her back to her opponent and raced for Kagome. Her friend was in trouble right now.
She jumped, claws ready, until a substance wrapped about her arms, trapping her. She jerked her head up to hear the mighty screeching roar of none other than the Dragon of the Darkness Flame. It glared down at her; it's eyes glinting with evil. She froze, terror filling her mind, gripping her tightly and dragging her under...
"MIND CRUSH!!!" yelled a familiarly deep voice. Pulses flew across the roof, heading for the giant black creature. The dragon howled with pain, swaying on the spot, collapsing, its great head hitting the ground, its coils releasing its captive.
Tori had already felt the great energy drain from being in the Dragon's clutches. She looked wearily up to see a familiar face. Amethyst eyes smiled down at her, the Millennium Puzzle flashing in the streaks of sunlight barely showing through the clouds.
"Yugi?" she asked wearily. Surprisingly, he shook his head.
"It's me." His deep voice entered her head, stirring memories.
"Y-Yami??" she gasped. He smiled, helping her to her feet.
"STUPID PHARAOH!! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!!" yelled yet another sinister voice. Both turned their heads to see none other than Bakura firing shadow blasts at the plant that held Kagome.
"Bakura?" asked Tori. Yami once more shook his head.
"Bakura's Yami, Ryou." She raised an eyebrow.
"He's HELPING us??"
A snarl from behind her made her drop to the ground, but Yami swiftly jumped into the air, sending a shadow blast of his own towards the possessed demon. Hiei skidded to a halt, glaring up at the Pharaoh of Egypt, his crimson eyes flashing with murder. He dodged, leaping up at Yami. Yami smirked; the blast reflected off the roof, heading straight up...
It struck...
Hiei fell once more...
"What did I just say, Pharaoh????" yelled Ryou's voice across the roof. Yami quickly looked from Tori to Hiei.
"Are you coming?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Hiei needs me now," she said. Yami nodded, understanding, and raced off to help Ryou.
Kuwabara and Yusuke were holding off Kaiba's attacks as best as they could, but Kuwabara couldn't hold his sword much longer, and Yusuke was out of Spirit Bullets. He'd resorted to punches, but they weren't doing much, especially since they weren't hitting that often.
Yami and Ryou fought together, trapping the enslaved kitsune, firing blast after blast. He moved gracefully, his plants attacking them both, and doing a damn good job, but the Yamis weren't beaten yet. Yami held his hands out, both of them, apparently meaning to do a huge blast.
"You think you can hit me? Try," snickered Kurama in that horrid, sinister tone that wasn't his own.
Yami smirked inwardly.
He fired two blasts at once, the huge shadow blast heading for Kurama, the other one coming out of his Puzzle, heading straight for the Rose Whip coils that held Kagome. It struck while Kurama was distracted with dodging the huge shadow shot.
The vines dropped Kagome, and she collapsed to the ground like a rag doll. Her eyes were closed, still held by Kurama's spell. Her arms were bleeding from the thorns that had impaled her.
Kurama smirked at Yami as the shadow power flew past him. "Can't even hit me, how sad..."
"He can't, but maybe I can!" said Ryou, reflecting the blast back at him. Kurama's eyes widened as the blast struck.
He stood, rigid for a moment, before his eyes closed painfully tight. His teeth gritted together, and his hands gripped his head, shaking it forcefully. A change came over him. His red hair became streaked silver, everything about him changed, until none other than Yoko Kurama sat in his place, snarling.
"Release me...NOW!!!" he roared, rearing his head back, his fangs showing as the legendary fox bandit fought to release himself from the powerful mental grip. His ears pressed flat against his head, his tail swished in irritation. With another fox-like howl, a purple shadow emanated from his golden eyes, hovering in the air for a second before vanishing.
Yoko collapsed, whispering mentally to Kurama, 'You owe me...' before both passed out.
Tori felt the tears sting her eyes as Hiei didn't stir. Yami approached her, slightly panting from his fight with both Kurama and Hiei.
"He hasn't woken?"
She shook her head, the tears spilling over. He frowned, kneeling down next to the unconscious pyre. As he did, the demon shook horribly. Yami quickly stepped back.
"Hiei?" asked Tori hopefully. His face contorted with anger, his eyes shut tight, as he suddenly began to tremble uncontrollably. Tori reached a hand out to him. Yami warned her against it, but she couldn't hear him. Her mate was all that mattered to her right now.
Slowly, her hand touched his face. "Hiei," she whispered, "you can do it...you can break free..." He jumped as her skin came in contact, but he slowly recognized her, snarling as he fought to get to her, to break free. How dare ANYONE have the audacity to try to control him!!! His sleeping mind wrenched free of the grip that had been placed on him.
His hand shot up, lightning fast, grabbing Tori's in a tight grip. She gasped as he constricted it with his own. Yami made a move to help her, but she shook her head at him. Hiei had to know she was there. Growling, Hiei trembled once more, as his eyes shot open, pouring out the purple cloud of control. It was gone. His painfully tight hold on Tori lessened, until she could safely pull her hand out of his, not caring about the abnormally large red mark around it.
Yami once more heard his name being called by Ryou, and he quickly left the couple alone to go help Kaiba, as well as the exhausted Spirit Detectives. Poor Yusuke was about out of energy, and Kuwabara's legs trembled with the effort of holding his sword against Kaiba's, trying not to let it touch him.
In his half-conscious state, Yoko raised his head to look for the reason for his calling. His silver mane blew in the rooftop wind as his golden eyes searched for her. About a few yards away lay Kagome, slightly bleeding, unconscious, but no doubt alive. He mustered all of his remaining demon strength, crawling toward her, gripping her hand, and dragging her limp form into his, wrapping his arms around her in the eternal grip.
She wasn't leaving him...ever...
The Yamis once more teamed their strength up to help the Detectives. Kaiba approached the weakened Yusuke, sword ready to claim him...when a blast knocked him off his feet.
Ryou blew the smoke off his palm smugly, his brown eyes surveying his hit as Yami stomped firmly on Kaiba's wrist, forcing his fingers to loosen their grip. Finally, the hated sword fell to the ground, and Yami kicked it out of Kaiba's reach. He didn't dare touch it, but dribbled it with his foot toward Hiei. He looked at Tori as she curiously examined it. She understood; touching it would start the thing all over again. He gently pushed it next to Hiei, backing off, making to disappear into the city once more. He started walking towards the stairs.
"Wait! Yami!" called Tori. He turned to her. She raced up, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thank you...so much..."
He smiled, embracing her back.
"Tell that demon of yours that Yugi says he'd better take good care of you," said Yami. Tori's eyes widened, but she smiled happily, nodding. Yugi finally understood...
Ryou approached them.
"Come on, Pharaoh, we'd better take these kids home," he gestured to the unconscious Joey, along with Duke, Serenity, and Mai. They took them down the stairs, as Kayzie and Mokuba ran to Kaiba's side. Tori watched Yami's retreating back.
"Thanks again, Pharaoh of Egypt..."
She turned back to Hiei, only to find him glaring daggers at her, his red eyes burning accusingly. She jumped in surprise, for a second thinking he was still possessed; when a wave of relief came over her as she figured out he was just jealous of Yami. The Blade was tucked snugly into his belt, next to his sword sheath.
She approached him warily. "Hiei?" He didn't answer her. He shut his eyes and turned his head away. She knelt down next to him, once more reaching to touch his cheek, when he quickly grabbed her hand, dragging her into his face, kissing her fiercely. Tori was so taken aback by the act that she didn't take time to register that Yusuke and Kuwabara were snickering at her.
When Hiei finally released her, he whispered ferociously,
"You belong to ME, no one else, got it??" Tori gulped.
"Hiei, he's just a..."
"Got it??" She sighed.
"Yes, Hiei, I got it."
As soon as he closed his eyes, his hand still tightly around her wrist, Tori turned to glare with utmost death at the two weakly laughing detectives. Oh, they were going to get it when she got out of this...
She stood wearily, closing her eyes, struggling to pull Hiei up with her, but he was out cold, and she'd never thought he weighed THIS much. Surprisingly, she felt him suddenly grow lighter. She opened her eyes to see Kuwabara supporting Hiei under one shoulder, Yusuke under the other. She looked in between both boys. They were giving her mischievous looks, but at least they were helping her.
She was able to wrench her hand from Hiei's, as she had to go check on Kagome and Kurama, or Yoko, as she quickly found out. Botan was beside them, checking them for serious injuries. "How are they?" asked Tori as she approached the Grim Reaper.
"They're fine. But there's something with Kagome. I can't quite place it, but she won't wake up. Yoko's unconscious, but Kagome's sleeping, or something. I don't know." Tori sighed.
"Kurama did it," she said. Botan looked up.
"What?"
"Kagome's kind of sleeping. Kurama hypnotized her while he was still possessed. I saw it." Botan's eyes widened, looking back at Kagome.
"Guess we'll have to wait for him to wake up before she can," she said. Tori nodded. She left Botan to wait for Kuwabara and Yusuke to return for the other two, and approached Kayzie, Mokuba, and Kaiba.
"You guys ok?" Kayzie and Mokuba nodded. "Here, I'll help move him," she offered. They smiled.
"Thanks," said Kayzie. Tori slipped one arm under one of Kaiba's shoulders, Kayzie took the other. Mokuba followed behind worriedly. The four headed down the stairs, heading into Kaiba's office. Tori and Kayzie laid him on the sofa. Tori normally would've been disgusted to do this, but Kaiba had been through a lot, and even she pitied him. She quickly turned and left, but not before Mokuba had called her.
"Hey...you can use the empty office next door. There're some extra couches in there," he said.
"Thanks, Mokuba," said Tori, smiling and leaving. She turned to the broken door. "Heh, sorry I broke the door..."
"Don't worry about it. Just go help your friends," said Mokuba. Tori smiled again, and bounded down the hall to direct Yusuke and Kuwabara into the empty office with Hiei. She then hurried up to the roof to help Botan with Kagome.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Tori the Hanyou: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! NO CLIFFIE THIS TIME!!! YAAAAY!! Well, they've gotten the last artifact. But what happens after this, you say? Heck if I know, I wrote this thing off the top of my head! Actually, I DO have one little thing I want to do before the story's over, so be patient, okies? Now, here's the preview, and you guys can soak in your own ideas about what kind of twisted thing I'm plotting. I can tell you, it'll have you either saying 'HOW CUTE!!' or splitting your sides laughing. So, be prepared, here's the preview:
CHAPTER TITLE PREVIEW: It Happens Every Time
FaNged-1: I like your username! Heh, I explained that to Kayzie too. It's a screw up. You caught me! I'M A BAD AUTHORESS! (Wails) I tried to fix it in this chapter, and I'm hoping it'll stop the questions. Enjoy!
Kira the Hanyou: Well, uhh, I'm not really planning on any YYH and Inuyasha crossovers anytime soon, but I'm glad u like my stories! -; I suppose I could put you in here somewhere, heck, I did it for Kayzie (look below). Thanks for giving me that info. If I find a place to put you, I will. I've got a very fun ending planned out after this chapter. This might be my last action segment of the story. But, if I can't put you in here, I'll try to find you a place in the sequel (Yes, there WILL be one! - I'm soo happy!!) So bear with me please.
Kayzie Kaiba: No, u didn't miss anything. Heh, I needed to separate them, just for this lil' battle thing. I guess you can call me a bad authoress, but I'm gonna try to fix that mistake in this chapter. Thanks a lot for dedicating your story to me, I'm honored, really, I am. I read it, and it looks very good, so keep up the good work.
Itsabobthing92: I know someone's usually with Inuyasha, but you won't find out what happens to him until I write the sequel, which, OBTW, I haven't decided on a name for yet. Fighting Back 2 sounds so uncreative, and that's not my style. I hope your cat's cooled down by now! Another BTW, it's spelled discipline, lol. (Don't mind me, I'm a spelling nut) But you're funny, lol! P.S. Yeah, I'm one of those evil writers. -;
Black Mage Tsucasa, pinkjingling: Thanks a lot!
Kanna Fan: Thanks a lot! To tell you the truth, I already HAVE a prequel written. My story, YuGiOh! Trapped in the Next Dimension, pretty much sums up how Tori and Yugi got together in the first place. I know, Hiei rocks, doesn't he? As for Yugi, he was actually upstairs in his room when they went to visit the Game Shop. You don't think he'd need a rest after being attacked by the Dragon of the Darkness Flame??? SHEESH!! Lol, jk! I was hoping to make this story a 20-shot, but now I see it's gonna be a bit longer than that. Heh...
UltaAnimeFangurl2004: Yeah, I think it'll only be a couple more chapters, cuz I have some really fun stuff I wanna throw in before it ends (smiles evilly).
Tomboy124352: I don't get what you mean by lighten up, but as for the YTJ group, if you mean the Yugi, Tristan, Joey group, Yugi and Tristan are at Yugi's house, and Joey's with the others. If you mean Yusuke, Tori, and Joey, you'll find out in this chapter!
Starangel4899: Well, at least you made it to the next round! Congrats! As for the club thing, I'll check it out, okies?
DISCLAIMER: Read the previous disclaimer, cuz I'm not saying it again...MAN, this gets annoying...
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Fighting Back
Chapter 19: The Last Artifact
As soon as the click sounded, Hiei was gone, shooting through the hallways, murder glinting in his fierce eyes.
The others did their best to follow, but by the time they were out in the hallway, he was already leaping up the stairs, not bothering with the 'stupid human electronic transportation device' translation: the elevator.
(With the YTJ group)
Tori froze, dropping the talkie as the new threat approached, his Blade drawn. Yusuke and Joey stood in front of her, fists held up angrily, daring the tall duelist to attack them.
His blue eyes flashed with confidence, and Yusuke let out a small growl.
Tori knew they were in trouble. The Blade could easily possess either one of them if he swung it. She didn't know what to think, her mind felt only one thing: fear. Now she was wishing she'd let Hiei come with her; the guy had been positively adamant about letting her go by herself with Yusuke and Joey to the top floor where the most danger was.
Kurama had been insistent he and her have some separated time; it was only a little while, he'd reasoned. Still, Hiei had been angry about it, mentally threatening Tori about wanting to separate before it was time to. Naturally, she'd ignored him, still not grasping the fact of what he really could do to her if she didn't obey him.
Now, more than ever, she was wishing she HAD obeyed. But, of course, she'd never seen Yusuke's powers in full swing. She knew Joey didn't possess any special powers. Sure, he was a good duelist, but that wasn't going to save them from Kaiba. She'd seen him street fight, though, and he wasn't a pushover. She didn't think that'd help much, sadly.
As Kaiba came closer, Yusuke examined his features, something he did to better understand his opponent. This was actually a technique he'd picked up from Kurama. What he noticed in Kaiba's look seemed to surprise him. Kaiba wasn't giving off a regular human aura. His eyes suddenly weren't the blue he'd seen before, but a violent purple seemed to mix with them. He remembered what he'd heard from Botan over the talkie: the Blade would slowly possess a non-demon holder, and decided that was the reason for his strange transformation.
He glared, readying his punch, but Joey shot forward first.
"EAT THIS, KAIBA!!" he yelled, angrily throwing the payback blow for all the insults Kaiba had sent him. But, it never hit. Kaiba was gone and behind him before Joey came within two feet. The Blade flew down, and Yusuke acted faster than Tori had ever seen him before, sliding around Kaiba and dragging Joey to the floor to avoid the deadly slash that would've taken his head off.
Instead of through Joey's neck, the sword stuck in the wall, and Kaiba pulled to get it out, but that gave Yusuke as much time as he needed to throw a Spirit Punch at his opponent's stomach. Kaiba flew backwards, straight for Tori. She snapped out of it, just in time, leaping backwards to avoid the collision. He skidded on the floor, stopping at her feet.
"Tori! MOVE!" yelled Yusuke. Too late. Kaiba quickly recovered, grabbing Tori's foot and dragging her to the ground. She yelped in surprise, but Kaiba suddenly let loose a howl of pain and released her.
A long gash covered his upper arm, and Tori quickly scrambled away, running straight into Hiei's outstretched arms. Hiei put her behind him, glaring daggers at Kaiba, his sword slightly dripping with blood. He growled, his crimson orbs meeting the now violet eyes of Kaiba. Yusuke stood behind the duelist, fingers pointed in the gun formation. "Hiei, I suggest you two get outta the way, unless you want to be French fried with the freak there!" he said, gesturing to Kaiba.
Hiei knew perfectly well how powerful Yusuke's Spirit Gun was, and Yusuke wasn't lying. He turned, grabbed Tori, and the two suddenly disappeared and reappeared behind Joey, who jumped in surprise. Yusuke charged up the shot, while Kaiba recovered from Hiei's blow, standing up to face the challengers.
"Heh...you really think your little flashlight's gonna stop me?" he sneered, speaking for the first time, and Tori and Joey noticed his voice wasn't at all normal. Yusuke smirked.
"Spirit-"
"WAIT!! Don't!!!" cried a voice, a girl's voice. Everyone turned, and a girl ran past Joey, Hiei, Tori, and Yusuke, standing in front of Kaiba, arms out. "Don't hurt him! Please!" she cried. The four of them stared. The girl looked no more than 14, and she had a fierce determination in her eyes as she faced Yusuke furiously, apparently trying to protect the boy behind her.
"Who the heck are you?" asked Joey.
"Kayzie, stay out of this," snarled Kaiba, still eyeing Yusuke's glowing fingertips. The girl turned to Kaiba.
"Seto, what's the matter with you?? You've been acting FAR too weird! Don't go picking fights!!" she snapped.
"SETO!!!" came another voice, younger. Kaiba turned to see Mokuba run down the hallway towards him. Before anyone could react, he'd thrown his arms around the elder Kaiba's waist, crying uncontrollably.
Tori looked at Yusuke.
"Put it down," she said quietly. He glanced at her.
"Why?"
"Hello?? That's Kaiba's little brother! You don't wanna go shooting two innocent people!" she said angrily, "though I'm not sure who the girl is."
"Seto, please stop!! I don't know what's wrong with you, but please stop!!" sobbed Mokuba. Kaiba's eyes returned to normal for only a minute as he gazed with worry at his younger sibling. He softly rested his hand on the head buried in his chest.
"Mokuba..." he said quietly. The others came up behind them, stopping to give them some space. Kagome saw, with relief, that Tori didn't seemed injured.
The girl called Kayzie watched Kaiba with a slightly hurt gaze. He looked at her, as though just realizing she was there. "What the heck are you two doing out here??" he said angrily. "These people are dangerous! Go in my office now!" he ordered. They stared at him, not seeming to register what he said. "Did you hear me??"
"They're not dangerous, Seto..." muttered Mokuba. Kaiba looked down at the untidy, black-haired boy. "They're my friends, and they came to help you."
He gave Mokuba a confused look.
"Help me?? I don't need help with anything! What the heck WOULD I need help with?" he snapped.
"That..." Mokuba pointed to the Demonic Blade like it was the vilest thing in the world.
"My sword?" he asked angrily.
"Mokuba's right," said Kayzie. Kaiba rounded on her. "Ever since you found it, you've been acting...strange..." He shook his head.
"I don't know what's gotten into you two, but Mokuba," he looked down at his brother, "I know you've been poisoned by these people's nonsense." He gestured around to the demons and humans surrounding him.
"It's not nonsense!!" snapped Mokuba, tearing up again, "They're right!! Put that thing down now!! Or give it to him!!" He pointed to Hiei, who looked surprised. Kaiba did, too.
"Why him?"
Mokuba fell silent. He knew his brother didn't like to believe in things such as demons, and he'd blow his stack if he found out Mokuba did.
"Because...just do it, please..." he said sadly. Kaiba looked at a loss. He hated when his brother cried, mostly when it was his fault. He shook his head suddenly, feeling the power gripping him again. His sword hand raised, and his other made a move to push the little kid off of him.
"Mokuba...run..." he muttered, making the boy gasp. Kayzie jumped forward and pulled the younger Kaiba from his brother, backing off just as the sword swung.
Tori took Kayzie by the shoulder.
"Better go to his office and hide," she advised. Kayzie looked painfully back as the purple returned to the KaibaCorp President's eyes.
"But..."
"Go, we can handle this." Kayzie hesitated.
"Did you hear her? Move it!" snapped Hiei. Kayzie gave a small choke and dragged a protestant Mokuba away from the danger, towards the office. "Go with them," Hiei muttered to Tori. She stared at him like he was nuts.
"What?? No way! I'm gonna..."
"Don't tell me what you are and aren't gonna do!" snarled Hiei, making Tori jump, "You've had to go through this already, so get out of the way! NOW!!" Tori still didn't move, she stared helplessly at Joey or Yusuke, hoping they'd reason with him. Kurama was on the other side of the unpredictable Kaiba, so he couldn't help her. "Don't make me force you..." he muttered, in the most dangerous tone he had, and damn, that was dangerous.
Tori felt a chill down her spine as he spoke the words, and glared furiously at him. 'I'll punish you for being disobedient later...for now, get out of harm's way,' he said in her head, making Tori's eyes widen. Punish her???
Kaiba seemed to have lost the mental battle against the Blade's control, and he'd leapt at Joey. No more time. It was now or never. Join the battle, or hide. Tori didn't care if she made him angry or not (big mistake), but she knew what it was like to face the Blade, and there wasn't any escape, once it had you...
She stood, indecisive, until Hiei growled angrily, picking her up bridal style and leaping out of the way as Joey was flung into the wall where they'd been standing. He raced toward the office, dropping her inside. "Stay..." he snarled, slamming the door. Tori stood up furiously, pounding the door and rattling the doorknob, but it was locked.
Hiei pulled his sword tip out of the door lock, and raced back to the battle; knowing she was safe, nothing held him back now...
Yusuke was able to knock Kaiba in the back of the head with his Spirit Punch. Kurama had jumped in, sending one of his plant seeds at Kaiba, growing it quickly, commanding it to grab him. It did, and he stood, startled for a minute. He quickly recovered, and an evil smirk appeared on his face.
"You really think this will hold me, Yoko?" he said, snickering. Everyone froze, especially Kurama.
"What the..."
Suddenly, the plant split down the center, and Kaiba leapt out. The Blade glowed purple as he slashed it at the temporarily shocked fox demon...
"KURAMA!!" screamed Kagome as he fell. Kaiba leapt past Yusuke and a knocked-out Joey, running towards the stairs to the roof.
"How the hell did he know?" muttered Kuwabara. Kagome knelt down near her mate, shaking him gently.
"Kurama?? Kurama!! Damnit! Answer me, please!!" she cried. A small moan answered her, as the kitsune picked himself up off the floor.
"Kagome..." he muttered.
"Yes?"
"...Run..."
He leapt up, the blank stare appearing in his emerald gaze. Kagome screamed, and everyone else jumped back, horrified. Kurama was gone.
Yusuke came up behind, preparing to knock him back to his senses with an old-fashioned punch. But he never made it. Kurama's Rose Whip appeared around Yusuke's arms, throwing him into the wall.
Hiei stared, dazed. Kurama...taken under control...who'd have thought? He shook it off as Yusuke crashed into the wall, and leapt at the kitsune.
"Wake up, fox!" he snarled, moving lightning quick, pressing his sword against Kurama's throat. He was unfazed. An evil smile pulled at his lips, turning his face into the most horrible look anyone had ever seen. Hiei himself was shocked inwardly.
"Go ahead, kill me, Hiei," he snickered, "You'll only be killing your best friend. We don't want that now, do we?"
"SHUT UP!" Hiei roared. Kurama's smirk deepened, as Hiei hadn't noticed the Death Plant approaching him from behind...
(Meanwhile)
Tori heard Kagome's cry for Kurama, she'd heard everything, pressing her ligress ears against the locked office door. Silent tears poured down her face; Kurama was suffering the same thing she had. She heard Hiei yell at him, before Mokuba tugged at her sleeve.
"Tori? Is it safe?" he asked. She shook her head, trying to hide the damn tears.
"Far from it. But don't worry, everything will be fine," she said quietly. Kayzie sat in a chair, silently sobbing as well. Kaiba was possessed by his own sword. She couldn't do a thing about it, either. She couldn't fight, not against him.
Tori slid to the floor, staring at it. Suddenly, her heart went into a painful wrench.
"Hiei!" she gasped.
(Outside)
Hiei gritted his teeth to prevent a cry from escaping his throat. Kurama's Death Plant had gotten him. Botan had grabbed Kagome, Mai, Bakura, Serenity, and Duke and high-tailed it back to the stairs. Kagome was screaming the whole time for Kurama, trying desperately to reach him, trying to free herself. The only one she saw was Kurama; the only one she felt was Kurama. She HAD to get to him, not caring if it meant hurting the one who was trying to protect her from him.
Hiei tried to move his sword hand, but it felt paralyzed. He'd kill Kaiba...for first turning Tori against him, and now Kurama. Yusuke was powering up his Spirit Gun, and Kuwabara was trying to hack at the Death Plant to free Hiei. Normally, he could've cared less, but Hiei was really the only one who could take Kurama on, face-to-face.
Joey, in the meantime, had finally woken up, and Kurama's Rose Whip had wrapped about his wrist, the thorns digging in. He, too, was trying not to show weakness by letting a sound escape his throat. Yusuke took aim at the writhing plant.
It was horrible. They were a team. The four of them were a team. Now one of them was fighting the others, turning that foursome into a threesome trying to free the last.
"SPIRIT GUN!!"
(BAM!)
The shot fired, incinerating the plant.
Hiei fell, but the plant's spikes had injected him with a temporary paralyzing potion, and he fought it as best as he could, trying to knock Kurama out, but the kitsune suddenly released Joey, leaping over them, running for the roof.
"Oh, no you don't!" yelled Yusuke, chasing after him. Kuwabara followed. Joey made a move to follow, but he turned back to Hiei.
"Need a hand?" he asked. Hiei glared at him like he usually did to Kuwabara.
"No, you insolent human, I don't. Now get out of my face before you resume your knocked-out state," he snapped.
"Jeez, someone needs an attitude adjustment. Ok, then, gimme a call when you do," said Joey.
"That won't be anytime soon!" snarled Hiei at the retreating human's back. He stood wearily, shaking the paralysis off and following the party to the roof.
(In the office)
Tori went back to the opposite wall, turning to face the door. Gritting her teeth, infuriated, she leapt forward, charging at the door with her super speed.
Kayzie watched, sitting next to Mokuba on the couch.
"You think she'll break it?" she asked. Mokuba shrugged.
She charged forward, feeling every angry feeling towards Hiei fueling her speed. Perfect, exactly what she needed. She turned her shoulder, bracing for the impact.
It came; she slammed into the cedar door, snapping off the hinges on the other side, throwing the door out of her way, snarling to herself.
"Try containing me now, Hiei." She looked around, seeing no one. She noticed the roof staircase door was open. Mokuba and Kayzie stepped warily out. "Mokuba, where's that lead?" Tori pointed to the open door.
"The roof, I think. Seto never lets me play up there."
"I'm going. If you two want, you can come, but I think...err...Seto," she tried to say it with the best tone possible, "would prefer if you stayed here."
The two looked at her like she was nuts.
"You think we're gonna stay here while he's up there getting hurt? Hell no!" snapped Kayzie.
"I agree! Whether you two like it or not, I'm going!!" he snapped, running towards the door.
Tori smirked.
"I always knew I liked that kid for a reason," she muttered, running after him. Kayzie followed.
(On the roof)
Yusuke dodge-rolled out of the way as Kurama's Rose Whip lashed out at him, firing his second Spirit Gun bullet at him. Kurama moved like liquid, though, and he jumped up, flipping, landing behind Kuwabara and throwing a seed at the unsuspecting human.
Before Yusuke could say a word, the vines emerged from the seed, wrapping tightly around Kuwabara, knocking him to the ground. Kurama moved in for the kill, but Yusuke yelled out,
"Hey, Kurama! That's not your style! You NEVER attack someone while they're helpless!" he said in that annoyingly cocky tone of his. It worked; Kurama turned on Yusuke instead, his blank green eyes searching out Yusuke's form, wondering what to do. Hiei leapt for the immobile fox, his sword drawn. He'd have to hit him over the head with the hilt, just to knock him out.
What he wasn't aware of was Kaiba's fast-approaching form from behind...
Tori was first out of the stairs to see the awful sight. The glowing Blade struck deeply into Hiei's shoulder, knocking him out of the air and to the ground. Yusuke and Kuwabara stared in horror. Hiei had been their last hope...and now he too was gone...
Tori became rigid, unable to move, her throat gone dry. Hiei...
Kayzie and Mokuba came up behind her to see Yusuke and Kuwabara being cornered by Kurama and Kaiba. Tori trembled violently as Hiei, too, rose from the ground, snarling and thrashing his head about, trying to shake off the Blade's control.
She knew it wouldn't work...
Kurama couldn't escape it...
He wouldn't either...
Tori smelt Kagome's scent as she raced up the stairs, her face tearstained. She drew out the Hyper Bow, aiming for Kaiba, her face contorted with rage.
Kayzie stopped her.
"No! He's not responsible!! It's the sword's fault!" she cried.
"If he drops the sword, it will release its control on everyone," said Botan, panting, running up the stairs. Tori was silent, still in shock from witnessing Hiei's mental imprisonment...something she never knew was possible...
"He's gone..." she muttered.
"Who?" asked Botan.
Tori shakily raised a finger to Hiei's form as it approached the cornered Spirit Detectives. Botan looked, and nearly screamed.
"Botan...what would happen if the sword were destroyed?" asked Tori quietly.
"I don't know...I don't think it can be broken...it never has..."
"Guess there's a first time for everything," snarled Tori, bringing out her claws. Kagome stood next to her, Hyper Bow in hand.
"Let's go," she said. The girls took off across the asphalt roof, heading straight for the boys. Tori felt her ligress emerging. She transformed into her half-cat form, racing at Kaiba with everything she could muster, not hearing Botan's screams to stay back. Kagome leapt at him, Bow ready to knock him over the head...
CRACK!
She was frozen in midair, as a VERY familiar Rose Whip was wrapped around her arms, the thorns digging painfully into her fragile skin. She looked in horror as Kurama's horrible smirk stared back at her.
Tori hadn't noticed her friend's absence; she was headed for the one thing that would end it all...the one thing that had hurt both her and her loved ones...not to mention her mate...the bond between mates was forcing her on with absolutely every ounce of power she had...
Closer...
She was blinded to all else but the Blade...
The horrid thing that had to be destroyed...
Her claws itched to dice it in half...
The wind whistled in her sensitive ears...deafening her to all...
SLAM!
She was thrown with the greatest force off course, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling in that oh-so-familiar way...and she realized with horror...
"Hiei," she whimpered, as she skidded to the asphalt. She wasn't alone. Hiei had her flipped onto her back, his sword pressed against her throat.
That was it. Her rage was gone...replaced by softness for her mate... She stared helplessly into his crimson orbs, her muscles relaxing in the way they did when he touched her...when he held her...even like this... 'Damn mark!' she thought.
Hiei's look was positive murder. The only looks she'd gotten from him had never been like this. This one, he was actually MEANING to kill her.
She trembled, gulping. She'd failed. She'd failed Hiei. She'd failed her friends. The only thing to do was hope he'd make it quick... A quick death...something totally unlike Hiei...
Suddenly, she felt it, her ligress freeing herself from him. She seemed to be saying to her, 'If you won't do this, I'll do it myself!'
She leapt into possession of Tori, forcing her to throw off the demon. She leapt to her feet, snarling and roaring. Hiei jumped back, his sword ready. She was going to try her best to free him, even if it meant hurting him a little bit. Hey, he needed a bit of messing up, anyway. She dodged his charge.
Kagome felt herself drowning in Kurama's mind trick. Her eyelids drooped as swirls danced before her, hypnotizing her, holding her. She felt like she could simply watch them forever. Her grip on the Hyper Bow loosened greatly, until it fell from her delicate fingertips, falling to the ground, making its hollow clatter; the clatter of a fallen fighter. It echoed through the area, attracting the attention of a certain ligress-possessed girl.
Tori turned to see Kurama had a hold of Kagome, both mentally and physically. She was helpless. Tori turned her back to her opponent and raced for Kagome. Her friend was in trouble right now.
She jumped, claws ready, until a substance wrapped about her arms, trapping her. She jerked her head up to hear the mighty screeching roar of none other than the Dragon of the Darkness Flame. It glared down at her; it's eyes glinting with evil. She froze, terror filling her mind, gripping her tightly and dragging her under...
"MIND CRUSH!!!" yelled a familiarly deep voice. Pulses flew across the roof, heading for the giant black creature. The dragon howled with pain, swaying on the spot, collapsing, its great head hitting the ground, its coils releasing its captive.
Tori had already felt the great energy drain from being in the Dragon's clutches. She looked wearily up to see a familiar face. Amethyst eyes smiled down at her, the Millennium Puzzle flashing in the streaks of sunlight barely showing through the clouds.
"Yugi?" she asked wearily. Surprisingly, he shook his head.
"It's me." His deep voice entered her head, stirring memories.
"Y-Yami??" she gasped. He smiled, helping her to her feet.
"STUPID PHARAOH!! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!!" yelled yet another sinister voice. Both turned their heads to see none other than Bakura firing shadow blasts at the plant that held Kagome.
"Bakura?" asked Tori. Yami once more shook his head.
"Bakura's Yami, Ryou." She raised an eyebrow.
"He's HELPING us??"
A snarl from behind her made her drop to the ground, but Yami swiftly jumped into the air, sending a shadow blast of his own towards the possessed demon. Hiei skidded to a halt, glaring up at the Pharaoh of Egypt, his crimson eyes flashing with murder. He dodged, leaping up at Yami. Yami smirked; the blast reflected off the roof, heading straight up...
It struck...
Hiei fell once more...
"What did I just say, Pharaoh????" yelled Ryou's voice across the roof. Yami quickly looked from Tori to Hiei.
"Are you coming?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Hiei needs me now," she said. Yami nodded, understanding, and raced off to help Ryou.
Kuwabara and Yusuke were holding off Kaiba's attacks as best as they could, but Kuwabara couldn't hold his sword much longer, and Yusuke was out of Spirit Bullets. He'd resorted to punches, but they weren't doing much, especially since they weren't hitting that often.
Yami and Ryou fought together, trapping the enslaved kitsune, firing blast after blast. He moved gracefully, his plants attacking them both, and doing a damn good job, but the Yamis weren't beaten yet. Yami held his hands out, both of them, apparently meaning to do a huge blast.
"You think you can hit me? Try," snickered Kurama in that horrid, sinister tone that wasn't his own.
Yami smirked inwardly.
He fired two blasts at once, the huge shadow blast heading for Kurama, the other one coming out of his Puzzle, heading straight for the Rose Whip coils that held Kagome. It struck while Kurama was distracted with dodging the huge shadow shot.
The vines dropped Kagome, and she collapsed to the ground like a rag doll. Her eyes were closed, still held by Kurama's spell. Her arms were bleeding from the thorns that had impaled her.
Kurama smirked at Yami as the shadow power flew past him. "Can't even hit me, how sad..."
"He can't, but maybe I can!" said Ryou, reflecting the blast back at him. Kurama's eyes widened as the blast struck.
He stood, rigid for a moment, before his eyes closed painfully tight. His teeth gritted together, and his hands gripped his head, shaking it forcefully. A change came over him. His red hair became streaked silver, everything about him changed, until none other than Yoko Kurama sat in his place, snarling.
"Release me...NOW!!!" he roared, rearing his head back, his fangs showing as the legendary fox bandit fought to release himself from the powerful mental grip. His ears pressed flat against his head, his tail swished in irritation. With another fox-like howl, a purple shadow emanated from his golden eyes, hovering in the air for a second before vanishing.
Yoko collapsed, whispering mentally to Kurama, 'You owe me...' before both passed out.
Tori felt the tears sting her eyes as Hiei didn't stir. Yami approached her, slightly panting from his fight with both Kurama and Hiei.
"He hasn't woken?"
She shook her head, the tears spilling over. He frowned, kneeling down next to the unconscious pyre. As he did, the demon shook horribly. Yami quickly stepped back.
"Hiei?" asked Tori hopefully. His face contorted with anger, his eyes shut tight, as he suddenly began to tremble uncontrollably. Tori reached a hand out to him. Yami warned her against it, but she couldn't hear him. Her mate was all that mattered to her right now.
Slowly, her hand touched his face. "Hiei," she whispered, "you can do it...you can break free..." He jumped as her skin came in contact, but he slowly recognized her, snarling as he fought to get to her, to break free. How dare ANYONE have the audacity to try to control him!!! His sleeping mind wrenched free of the grip that had been placed on him.
His hand shot up, lightning fast, grabbing Tori's in a tight grip. She gasped as he constricted it with his own. Yami made a move to help her, but she shook her head at him. Hiei had to know she was there. Growling, Hiei trembled once more, as his eyes shot open, pouring out the purple cloud of control. It was gone. His painfully tight hold on Tori lessened, until she could safely pull her hand out of his, not caring about the abnormally large red mark around it.
Yami once more heard his name being called by Ryou, and he quickly left the couple alone to go help Kaiba, as well as the exhausted Spirit Detectives. Poor Yusuke was about out of energy, and Kuwabara's legs trembled with the effort of holding his sword against Kaiba's, trying not to let it touch him.
In his half-conscious state, Yoko raised his head to look for the reason for his calling. His silver mane blew in the rooftop wind as his golden eyes searched for her. About a few yards away lay Kagome, slightly bleeding, unconscious, but no doubt alive. He mustered all of his remaining demon strength, crawling toward her, gripping her hand, and dragging her limp form into his, wrapping his arms around her in the eternal grip.
She wasn't leaving him...ever...
The Yamis once more teamed their strength up to help the Detectives. Kaiba approached the weakened Yusuke, sword ready to claim him...when a blast knocked him off his feet.
Ryou blew the smoke off his palm smugly, his brown eyes surveying his hit as Yami stomped firmly on Kaiba's wrist, forcing his fingers to loosen their grip. Finally, the hated sword fell to the ground, and Yami kicked it out of Kaiba's reach. He didn't dare touch it, but dribbled it with his foot toward Hiei. He looked at Tori as she curiously examined it. She understood; touching it would start the thing all over again. He gently pushed it next to Hiei, backing off, making to disappear into the city once more. He started walking towards the stairs.
"Wait! Yami!" called Tori. He turned to her. She raced up, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thank you...so much..."
He smiled, embracing her back.
"Tell that demon of yours that Yugi says he'd better take good care of you," said Yami. Tori's eyes widened, but she smiled happily, nodding. Yugi finally understood...
Ryou approached them.
"Come on, Pharaoh, we'd better take these kids home," he gestured to the unconscious Joey, along with Duke, Serenity, and Mai. They took them down the stairs, as Kayzie and Mokuba ran to Kaiba's side. Tori watched Yami's retreating back.
"Thanks again, Pharaoh of Egypt..."
She turned back to Hiei, only to find him glaring daggers at her, his red eyes burning accusingly. She jumped in surprise, for a second thinking he was still possessed; when a wave of relief came over her as she figured out he was just jealous of Yami. The Blade was tucked snugly into his belt, next to his sword sheath.
She approached him warily. "Hiei?" He didn't answer her. He shut his eyes and turned his head away. She knelt down next to him, once more reaching to touch his cheek, when he quickly grabbed her hand, dragging her into his face, kissing her fiercely. Tori was so taken aback by the act that she didn't take time to register that Yusuke and Kuwabara were snickering at her.
When Hiei finally released her, he whispered ferociously,
"You belong to ME, no one else, got it??" Tori gulped.
"Hiei, he's just a..."
"Got it??" She sighed.
"Yes, Hiei, I got it."
As soon as he closed his eyes, his hand still tightly around her wrist, Tori turned to glare with utmost death at the two weakly laughing detectives. Oh, they were going to get it when she got out of this...
She stood wearily, closing her eyes, struggling to pull Hiei up with her, but he was out cold, and she'd never thought he weighed THIS much. Surprisingly, she felt him suddenly grow lighter. She opened her eyes to see Kuwabara supporting Hiei under one shoulder, Yusuke under the other. She looked in between both boys. They were giving her mischievous looks, but at least they were helping her.
She was able to wrench her hand from Hiei's, as she had to go check on Kagome and Kurama, or Yoko, as she quickly found out. Botan was beside them, checking them for serious injuries. "How are they?" asked Tori as she approached the Grim Reaper.
"They're fine. But there's something with Kagome. I can't quite place it, but she won't wake up. Yoko's unconscious, but Kagome's sleeping, or something. I don't know." Tori sighed.
"Kurama did it," she said. Botan looked up.
"What?"
"Kagome's kind of sleeping. Kurama hypnotized her while he was still possessed. I saw it." Botan's eyes widened, looking back at Kagome.
"Guess we'll have to wait for him to wake up before she can," she said. Tori nodded. She left Botan to wait for Kuwabara and Yusuke to return for the other two, and approached Kayzie, Mokuba, and Kaiba.
"You guys ok?" Kayzie and Mokuba nodded. "Here, I'll help move him," she offered. They smiled.
"Thanks," said Kayzie. Tori slipped one arm under one of Kaiba's shoulders, Kayzie took the other. Mokuba followed behind worriedly. The four headed down the stairs, heading into Kaiba's office. Tori and Kayzie laid him on the sofa. Tori normally would've been disgusted to do this, but Kaiba had been through a lot, and even she pitied him. She quickly turned and left, but not before Mokuba had called her.
"Hey...you can use the empty office next door. There're some extra couches in there," he said.
"Thanks, Mokuba," said Tori, smiling and leaving. She turned to the broken door. "Heh, sorry I broke the door..."
"Don't worry about it. Just go help your friends," said Mokuba. Tori smiled again, and bounded down the hall to direct Yusuke and Kuwabara into the empty office with Hiei. She then hurried up to the roof to help Botan with Kagome.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Tori the Hanyou: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! NO CLIFFIE THIS TIME!!! YAAAAY!! Well, they've gotten the last artifact. But what happens after this, you say? Heck if I know, I wrote this thing off the top of my head! Actually, I DO have one little thing I want to do before the story's over, so be patient, okies? Now, here's the preview, and you guys can soak in your own ideas about what kind of twisted thing I'm plotting. I can tell you, it'll have you either saying 'HOW CUTE!!' or splitting your sides laughing. So, be prepared, here's the preview:
CHAPTER TITLE PREVIEW: It Happens Every Time