Kikyoku is draining me. X.x I don't know why, but Kelsey thinks it's because the darn thing is so dark and that's draining. Well, you know what? She's RIGHT! I've never done a story this depressing and it's not even at the most depressing part yet! That happens in chapter 15, and that is all I will say. But for the sake of the readers, I will work on updating as often as I can. I don't think I want to plunk Jin in the past…that would be just too cruel for Kia, but she will meet one of her old (future?) friends. Poor Mirror Holder…
Last chapter, Kia met her grandmother and her mother, almost ate her chopstick, and other minor mishaps. But now one of Netami's spies and his buddies has broken into the kitchen. Their aim? Kill Aiko and kidnap Kia!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scooting backwards, Kia reached behind her, grasping a small knob and opening a low cupboard. Her fingers closed around something cold and hard and she passed it to Aiko, quickly fumbling for anything else that would serve as a weapon.
"Years of improvisation, don't fail me now…" Finally catching hold of something, she tugged it out--just as Aiko screamed. The girl turned to see her mother being hauled out from under the table, kicking and fighting wildly.
"Come out, come out!" Kanja sang in a cheerful falsetto.
Kia crawled out from under the table, rolling to the side as a sword fell from above, the tip striking the floor instead of its intended target. With a relieved grin, she swept her leg under her attacker's feet and knocked him to the floor. Once he hit the ground, she used the opportunity to smash her weapon against his face. Only when he had passed out did she take a closer look at her weapon of destruction.
It was a cookie-sheet.
"The weapon gods mock me," The brunette muttered, getting to her feet and looking for Aiko. The woman had broken free and was now repeatedly banging an axe-wielder on the head with a colander. He dropped with a groan.
"Two down, two to go!" Aiko crowed, smiling triumphantly at her younger partner. Kia flashed her a victory sign, before whirling to face Kanja, who was approaching her, sword at the ready.
"Go with us quietly, and I won't have to hurt you," the blonde man sneered.
"Go away, and I won't have to kill you," the Mirror Holder suggested.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're too stubborn for your own good, my dear?" Kanja lunged for her.
Kia released the cookie sheet. It landed on her unconscious victim and hit the floor with a metallic clang, as her hands began to glow with a soft blue light. "Stubbornness is why I'm still alive," she informed her opponent sweetly. "You should probably make a note of that." A few seconds later, Kanja was facedown on the kitchen floor with the glowing shaft of a Spirit Arrow protruding from his back.
"Aiko! Hiketsu!" Kurama burst into the kitchen, his trademark Rose Whip hefted menacingly. "Are you two alright?" His golden eyes flicked to the left. Kia followed his gaze and saw that the last would-be assassin had Aiko pinned against the wall while he fumbled for his axe. The woman had dropped her colander and now had her fingers splayed across her belly, as if determined to protect the unborn child within.
Kurama's whip and Kia's arrow hit the man at the same time. Blood sprayed everywhere as he slowly fell, letting out a drawn-out scream as he did so.
"…Excuse me…" Aiko bowed to both of them, and then hurried out of the kitchen, hands now clapped over her mouth. Kia had a pretty good idea where she was headed…she felt much the same. Swallowing her bile with a grimace, she gingerly toed the disfigured body.
"Hiket…Satsu…damn, I don't know what the hell to call you!" the Youko complained.
"Call me Hiketsu for now," the girl told him. "You never know who might be listening…where were you, anyway?"
He sighed. "While you may have been occupied with four men in here, we had seventeen out there."
Kia drew her breath in, producing a whistling sound. "They really want Aiko dead, don't they?"
"They're here for you too," he reminded her. "Anyway, the dragon took care of it."
She was almost afraid to ask. "…Dragon?"
Kurama smirked and took her hand, leading her out into the living room and stepping over the bodies of the men that had entered the house. Kia looked up--and gasped.
A hideous-looking emerald dragon crouched by the couch, razor-barbed tail wrapped around its scaly form. Its wings were grotesque and bat-like and its orange eyes smoldered darkly. It exhaled and steam shot from its nostrils. The girl wrinkled her nose. It smelled like sulfur!
"Kurama, what's a dragon doing in Yuumei's living room? And where's Yuumei? And Kage? Are they--"
"We're fine." Yuumei stepped into the room, followed by Kage, and a familiar raven-haired Youko. "Thanks to this young lady, those men didn't stand a chance. Her illusions are indeed spectacular."
"Illusion?!" The Mirror Holder stared at the dragon, then cautiously reached out and touched it. It was solid…and hot! She yanked her hand back quickly, glancing at Osore. "Are you sure that's an illusion?"
"I can craft the illusion of touch and smell, as well as sight," the kitsune explained. The dragon wavered, then vanished in an explosion of bright blue sparks. "It distracted the men, and Kurama killed them." She shot a glare at her older cousin. "You should've let at least ONE of them live! How are we supposed to find out anything now??"
"There's two men unconscious in the kitchen," Kia told her, feeling somewhat faint. "You can question them."
"We shall." Yuumei lifted her chin and marched purposefully into the kitchen with Kage bringing up the rear. Osore shrugged and went to check on Aiko. And Kia realized that Kurama still held on to her hand.
"Are you going to let go anytime soon?"
"Hmm?" He blinked.
She pointed to her captured hand.
He grinned. "You mean to say that you don't like it?"
"Don't flatter yourself." Kia yanked her hand free, glaring at him. "Do it to someone that actually LIKES you, as odd as that may be."
"What, don't you?" Kurama stuck out his lower lip, pouting slightly. She made a noise of disbelief and started to drag the bodies outside to dispose of them.
An hour or so later…
Aiko and Osore had returned, the former still looking a bit pale. Kia and Kurama had cleaned the house of all blood and bodies, the girl actually burying them, despite the Youko's lofty attitude.
"Did you find out anything?" Kurama asked, as Yuumei reentered with Kage.
The old woman sighed tiredly. "Well, I tried. One tried to say something, but then his entire body went up in flames."
"And the other?" Kia said hesitantly.
"Burned to ashes before I could even ask him a thing," came the weary reply. "It seems that Netami doesn't want us to know anything."
The girl muttered a curse in Spanish and stood up, ignoring everyone's curious glances. "Fine, then. I'll find her myself. After all, I can't get the--" She cut herself off, looking at Aiko, and decided to stop talking.
The woman tilted her head. "But why would you seek her out? And why were they after you, Hiketsu? Why are they after me??"
"Maybe because of the prophecy…and…let's just say…" Kia grinned wryly. "I have something they want, they have something I want, and it's double or nothing. I have to go get it back."
"Not by yourself, you're not," Yuumei said sharply, fixing her granddaughter with a admonishing stare. "Makai isn't safe for a young ningen girl. You're going to need protection."
"…What KIND of protection?" She didn't like the way this was going…
"The strong kind. Kurama, go with her." She sat back and waited for the outburst. She received it almost immediately.
"THERE IS NO WAY I'M TRAVELING WITH THAT…THAT…THAT PERVERTED FOX!!! NO WAY IN HELL!"
"She's obviously thrilled to be in my company," the Youko said dryly. "Are you sure this is wise?"
"Perhaps not wise, but it is necessary." Yuumei smiled. "You'll see. Aiko, kindly prepare some rations for them." Her daughter nodded and rose, slowly entering the kitchen. Once the door had closed firmly behind her, the old woman looked at the two. "You may be a Mirror Holder, but it isn't safe. Kurama will accompany you to make sure that no harm befalls you. Am I understand?"
"Hai," Kia grumbled unhappily. Then she blinked, remembering something. "Wait…Aiko said that she's pregnant…but I wasn't born until next year! How is that possible?"
"Youkai women have different cycles," her grandmother replied. "I've heard that Koorime only give birth every hundred years or so. Of course, that may just be a rumor…as it is, the women of the Hakaze tribe carry their children for at least eleven months." She smiled at Kia. "Of course, you're half-ningen, which means that you should only carry your child for the usual nine months. Which reminds me…" She looked sternly at Kurama. "Do not attempt to play any of the usual games with her. She's taken."
The girl turned bright red. "Now wait just a minute--"
"From what Kage's told me, your lad back home loves you very much." A mischievous glint entered her bright blue eyes. "I'd like a great-granddaughter, but I suppose as long as you have at least ONE child, either gender's fine."
Poor Kia sputtered and stammered for a moment, turning even redder until she more or less resembled one of Kurama's roses. When she finally recovered her voice, it cracked slightly. "Are you MAD?! I'm not--I don't--"
"I'll get you alone later," Kurama whispered into the Mirror Holder's ear, bending down slightly to do so. "And when I do…"
"ENOUGH!" Kia turned, gazing helplessly at Osore. "He's your cousin, can't you come too??"
The Youko shook her head. "Kage and I are staying here to keep an eye on Aiko. And besides, that stuff is too dangerous. It's exactly Kurama's sort of thing."
"Coward," the brunette muttered.
Osore shook her finger in the girl's face. "I'm not a coward, I'm just smarter than all of you."
Kage wagged his tail. -I like her. She is intelligent.-
"Good, have some bonding time!" Kia took her loaded backpack from Aiko as the woman walked up, bowed to both women, and took off at top speed. Youko Kurama, shaking his head, followed.
"You do realize that he's going to try and put the moves on her?" Osore remarked once the two had vanished from sight, the front door still swinging from the speed of Kia's exit.
Yuumei chuckled. "I expect it. It's time SOMEONE put that Youko in his place and reminded him what the difference was between love and lust. I believe that someone will be Hiketsu. With her background, she'll be the only one who can put a good-sized dent in that boy's ego."
"Background?" Aiko asked curiously.
"Let's just say…" The old woman grinned broadly. "She takes after her mother."
-Well, let's get started.- Kage heaved himself off the comfortable rug, glancing sideways at Osore. -We'll have to be skilled in saving lives by the time those two return. I have no doubt that my young friend will attempt to kill your cousin more than once.-
"That makes two of us," the kitsune said, laughing.
*OOC*
HA! I be done! With…another chapter! Go, me! And so far Kia hasn't killed Kurama, but believe me, it's gonna come close. One almost feels sorry for the Youko, ne? Please review while I thank the gods for finding Paradise of Love…that mp3 saved my life. Now if only I could find the lyrics…NEXT chapter!
* It's a fight! Between Kia and Kurama! How far is it going to go? Think wrestling an alligator…o.o;; And behold Kurama's secret weapon…
* Shishiwakamaru freaks out! It's time for Yusuke to pull out the tranquilizers…
* Poor Rinku is cross-examined by Kuwabara! Can he keep Kia's secret, or will he end up blabbing?
Last chapter, Kia met her grandmother and her mother, almost ate her chopstick, and other minor mishaps. But now one of Netami's spies and his buddies has broken into the kitchen. Their aim? Kill Aiko and kidnap Kia!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scooting backwards, Kia reached behind her, grasping a small knob and opening a low cupboard. Her fingers closed around something cold and hard and she passed it to Aiko, quickly fumbling for anything else that would serve as a weapon.
"Years of improvisation, don't fail me now…" Finally catching hold of something, she tugged it out--just as Aiko screamed. The girl turned to see her mother being hauled out from under the table, kicking and fighting wildly.
"Come out, come out!" Kanja sang in a cheerful falsetto.
Kia crawled out from under the table, rolling to the side as a sword fell from above, the tip striking the floor instead of its intended target. With a relieved grin, she swept her leg under her attacker's feet and knocked him to the floor. Once he hit the ground, she used the opportunity to smash her weapon against his face. Only when he had passed out did she take a closer look at her weapon of destruction.
It was a cookie-sheet.
"The weapon gods mock me," The brunette muttered, getting to her feet and looking for Aiko. The woman had broken free and was now repeatedly banging an axe-wielder on the head with a colander. He dropped with a groan.
"Two down, two to go!" Aiko crowed, smiling triumphantly at her younger partner. Kia flashed her a victory sign, before whirling to face Kanja, who was approaching her, sword at the ready.
"Go with us quietly, and I won't have to hurt you," the blonde man sneered.
"Go away, and I won't have to kill you," the Mirror Holder suggested.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're too stubborn for your own good, my dear?" Kanja lunged for her.
Kia released the cookie sheet. It landed on her unconscious victim and hit the floor with a metallic clang, as her hands began to glow with a soft blue light. "Stubbornness is why I'm still alive," she informed her opponent sweetly. "You should probably make a note of that." A few seconds later, Kanja was facedown on the kitchen floor with the glowing shaft of a Spirit Arrow protruding from his back.
"Aiko! Hiketsu!" Kurama burst into the kitchen, his trademark Rose Whip hefted menacingly. "Are you two alright?" His golden eyes flicked to the left. Kia followed his gaze and saw that the last would-be assassin had Aiko pinned against the wall while he fumbled for his axe. The woman had dropped her colander and now had her fingers splayed across her belly, as if determined to protect the unborn child within.
Kurama's whip and Kia's arrow hit the man at the same time. Blood sprayed everywhere as he slowly fell, letting out a drawn-out scream as he did so.
"…Excuse me…" Aiko bowed to both of them, and then hurried out of the kitchen, hands now clapped over her mouth. Kia had a pretty good idea where she was headed…she felt much the same. Swallowing her bile with a grimace, she gingerly toed the disfigured body.
"Hiket…Satsu…damn, I don't know what the hell to call you!" the Youko complained.
"Call me Hiketsu for now," the girl told him. "You never know who might be listening…where were you, anyway?"
He sighed. "While you may have been occupied with four men in here, we had seventeen out there."
Kia drew her breath in, producing a whistling sound. "They really want Aiko dead, don't they?"
"They're here for you too," he reminded her. "Anyway, the dragon took care of it."
She was almost afraid to ask. "…Dragon?"
Kurama smirked and took her hand, leading her out into the living room and stepping over the bodies of the men that had entered the house. Kia looked up--and gasped.
A hideous-looking emerald dragon crouched by the couch, razor-barbed tail wrapped around its scaly form. Its wings were grotesque and bat-like and its orange eyes smoldered darkly. It exhaled and steam shot from its nostrils. The girl wrinkled her nose. It smelled like sulfur!
"Kurama, what's a dragon doing in Yuumei's living room? And where's Yuumei? And Kage? Are they--"
"We're fine." Yuumei stepped into the room, followed by Kage, and a familiar raven-haired Youko. "Thanks to this young lady, those men didn't stand a chance. Her illusions are indeed spectacular."
"Illusion?!" The Mirror Holder stared at the dragon, then cautiously reached out and touched it. It was solid…and hot! She yanked her hand back quickly, glancing at Osore. "Are you sure that's an illusion?"
"I can craft the illusion of touch and smell, as well as sight," the kitsune explained. The dragon wavered, then vanished in an explosion of bright blue sparks. "It distracted the men, and Kurama killed them." She shot a glare at her older cousin. "You should've let at least ONE of them live! How are we supposed to find out anything now??"
"There's two men unconscious in the kitchen," Kia told her, feeling somewhat faint. "You can question them."
"We shall." Yuumei lifted her chin and marched purposefully into the kitchen with Kage bringing up the rear. Osore shrugged and went to check on Aiko. And Kia realized that Kurama still held on to her hand.
"Are you going to let go anytime soon?"
"Hmm?" He blinked.
She pointed to her captured hand.
He grinned. "You mean to say that you don't like it?"
"Don't flatter yourself." Kia yanked her hand free, glaring at him. "Do it to someone that actually LIKES you, as odd as that may be."
"What, don't you?" Kurama stuck out his lower lip, pouting slightly. She made a noise of disbelief and started to drag the bodies outside to dispose of them.
An hour or so later…
Aiko and Osore had returned, the former still looking a bit pale. Kia and Kurama had cleaned the house of all blood and bodies, the girl actually burying them, despite the Youko's lofty attitude.
"Did you find out anything?" Kurama asked, as Yuumei reentered with Kage.
The old woman sighed tiredly. "Well, I tried. One tried to say something, but then his entire body went up in flames."
"And the other?" Kia said hesitantly.
"Burned to ashes before I could even ask him a thing," came the weary reply. "It seems that Netami doesn't want us to know anything."
The girl muttered a curse in Spanish and stood up, ignoring everyone's curious glances. "Fine, then. I'll find her myself. After all, I can't get the--" She cut herself off, looking at Aiko, and decided to stop talking.
The woman tilted her head. "But why would you seek her out? And why were they after you, Hiketsu? Why are they after me??"
"Maybe because of the prophecy…and…let's just say…" Kia grinned wryly. "I have something they want, they have something I want, and it's double or nothing. I have to go get it back."
"Not by yourself, you're not," Yuumei said sharply, fixing her granddaughter with a admonishing stare. "Makai isn't safe for a young ningen girl. You're going to need protection."
"…What KIND of protection?" She didn't like the way this was going…
"The strong kind. Kurama, go with her." She sat back and waited for the outburst. She received it almost immediately.
"THERE IS NO WAY I'M TRAVELING WITH THAT…THAT…THAT PERVERTED FOX!!! NO WAY IN HELL!"
"She's obviously thrilled to be in my company," the Youko said dryly. "Are you sure this is wise?"
"Perhaps not wise, but it is necessary." Yuumei smiled. "You'll see. Aiko, kindly prepare some rations for them." Her daughter nodded and rose, slowly entering the kitchen. Once the door had closed firmly behind her, the old woman looked at the two. "You may be a Mirror Holder, but it isn't safe. Kurama will accompany you to make sure that no harm befalls you. Am I understand?"
"Hai," Kia grumbled unhappily. Then she blinked, remembering something. "Wait…Aiko said that she's pregnant…but I wasn't born until next year! How is that possible?"
"Youkai women have different cycles," her grandmother replied. "I've heard that Koorime only give birth every hundred years or so. Of course, that may just be a rumor…as it is, the women of the Hakaze tribe carry their children for at least eleven months." She smiled at Kia. "Of course, you're half-ningen, which means that you should only carry your child for the usual nine months. Which reminds me…" She looked sternly at Kurama. "Do not attempt to play any of the usual games with her. She's taken."
The girl turned bright red. "Now wait just a minute--"
"From what Kage's told me, your lad back home loves you very much." A mischievous glint entered her bright blue eyes. "I'd like a great-granddaughter, but I suppose as long as you have at least ONE child, either gender's fine."
Poor Kia sputtered and stammered for a moment, turning even redder until she more or less resembled one of Kurama's roses. When she finally recovered her voice, it cracked slightly. "Are you MAD?! I'm not--I don't--"
"I'll get you alone later," Kurama whispered into the Mirror Holder's ear, bending down slightly to do so. "And when I do…"
"ENOUGH!" Kia turned, gazing helplessly at Osore. "He's your cousin, can't you come too??"
The Youko shook her head. "Kage and I are staying here to keep an eye on Aiko. And besides, that stuff is too dangerous. It's exactly Kurama's sort of thing."
"Coward," the brunette muttered.
Osore shook her finger in the girl's face. "I'm not a coward, I'm just smarter than all of you."
Kage wagged his tail. -I like her. She is intelligent.-
"Good, have some bonding time!" Kia took her loaded backpack from Aiko as the woman walked up, bowed to both women, and took off at top speed. Youko Kurama, shaking his head, followed.
"You do realize that he's going to try and put the moves on her?" Osore remarked once the two had vanished from sight, the front door still swinging from the speed of Kia's exit.
Yuumei chuckled. "I expect it. It's time SOMEONE put that Youko in his place and reminded him what the difference was between love and lust. I believe that someone will be Hiketsu. With her background, she'll be the only one who can put a good-sized dent in that boy's ego."
"Background?" Aiko asked curiously.
"Let's just say…" The old woman grinned broadly. "She takes after her mother."
-Well, let's get started.- Kage heaved himself off the comfortable rug, glancing sideways at Osore. -We'll have to be skilled in saving lives by the time those two return. I have no doubt that my young friend will attempt to kill your cousin more than once.-
"That makes two of us," the kitsune said, laughing.
*OOC*
HA! I be done! With…another chapter! Go, me! And so far Kia hasn't killed Kurama, but believe me, it's gonna come close. One almost feels sorry for the Youko, ne? Please review while I thank the gods for finding Paradise of Love…that mp3 saved my life. Now if only I could find the lyrics…NEXT chapter!
* It's a fight! Between Kia and Kurama! How far is it going to go? Think wrestling an alligator…o.o;; And behold Kurama's secret weapon…
* Shishiwakamaru freaks out! It's time for Yusuke to pull out the tranquilizers…
* Poor Rinku is cross-examined by Kuwabara! Can he keep Kia's secret, or will he end up blabbing?