Well, I'm all moved in. Go, me! It took awhile, but all is good. I'm exhausted, though, so if this chapter is somewhat lacking, it's me. ^^;; I just realized that Keshi and Kouka were never claimed, so I still have two ferrygirls to give away…sheeee…
Lexi-chan's updates have inspired me. So I will endure Dad's cynical insults every time he comes upstairs and bite my tongue…thanks everyone for reviewing! And thanks to Shin-san, for doing that fanfic survey for DnK…I promise, I'll do one for you once yours is done. ^^ I felt so loved. May do one for Chloe-chan too…and Kelsey's Draika…and…and…stuff.
Last chapter, Kia and Kurama had a brief tussle, Shishiwakamaru is running rampant in Ningenkai, and Rinku's trying to hide from the questioning mob of Kuwabara, Chuu, and Suzuki! Pray for him. On second thought, pray for them all…
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Kia's assumption had been correct. They'd been walking for almost three days, with no sign of the Mirror Half for their troubles. The girl was getting worried, knowing she only had about six days left (A/N: That'll be explained really quickly!) in which to find the half and return it to Kelsey's lifeless body. She could sense it very faintly, and knew that if they continued to dawdle, it would take them another week to reach it.
"Why did you HAVE to stop and steal that…that…something-or-other, anyway?" Kia looked at Kurama, still a bit miffed. On a rest stop in a small village, a large red gem had caught his eye. Unfortunately, the gem was resting around the neck of the chief's daughter as she paraded about. That hadn't stopped him--he hadn't even been caught by the angry villagers, though their efforts were admirable. Poor Kia wasn't so lucky. Before she could even defend herself, she'd been caught and imprisoned in someone's damp cellar, costing her another five days. Kurama had finally freed her, but the damage had already been done. Precious time had been lost.
The Youko was currently admiring the gem, rolling it languidly in his palm, before he tucked it into Kia's backpack. "It was pretty. I like pretty things. They remind me of me."
"You're hopeless." The Mirror Holder was doing her best to remember Kurama as her well-mannered and considerate friend, but the more time she spent in THIS Kurama's company, the more she disliked him. "I have a deadline, of sorts, and you get me captured so you CAN STEAL A ROCK?!"
"A PRETTY rock," he corrected her.
Kia forgot all attempts of politeness and turned to face him, throwing back her hood. Her brown eyes shone with a sort of chilled fury. "This isn't a GAME, Kurama. My friend is currently in Ningenkai, fighting for her LIFE, and thanks to you, I now have less time to find the Mirror Half and take it back! I am NOT going to let her die because of YOUR greediness!"
Kurama involuntarily took a step back, ears leaning back to rest against his pale hair. The energy coming from the girl was unnerving. "Wait…"
"Just go away before you make things worse!" She turned on her heel and stomped off. She didn't even glance back once, and soon she had vanished from sight.
The Youko stood there, unsure. Should he go after her or go back to his simple and pleasurable life, thieving and having the occasional fling with female Youkos? She reminded him of someone, strong-willed…one that wouldn't easily fall for his good looks and charisma.
"This is getting too complicated for me," he muttered, turning to go. And then he heard a scream. A flock of small birds roosting in a nearby tree took flight, startled by the sudden noise. Kurama was startled as well. That scream sounded very familiar…
"Shit…" Cursing himself for letting her go off alone, Kurama broke into a run. His search soon proved futile. Kia was nowhere to be found and she didn't scream again.
"This can't be good…"
******
Kia opened her eyes groggily, then sneezed. All sleepiness vanished when she looked around, and discovered that her ankles had been bound with coarse rope, tied tightly, with the knot digging into her skin. And it wasn't just her ankles. More rope was wrapped securely around her chest, and her back was pressed against something, binding her to it. But what WAS it? And where was she? What had happened? She remembered yelling at Kurama, storming off, and then being tackled. She'd screamed, thinking it was the Youko at first, but then an odd-smelling cloth had been pressed over her face and…
"What…" She blinked several times. Apparently, she'd been kidnapped…but by who? And why?
"Oh, good, you're awake…you've been quiet for quite some time now."
It was only then that the brunette realized what she was bound to. Another person. And that voice…
Oh, shit…please don't be who I think it is…
"Who…who are you?" She tried to turn her head to verify her suspicion, but the rope chafed her and it definitely wasn't very comfortable.
"My name is Touya…and what's your name? I believe we've been captured by a band of youkai thieves. No doubt they want to use my ice skills, and you sound feminine, so they'll probably use you for a slave."
Kia took a deep breath, remembering to let it out after a minute. She wasn't going to lose her composure…but this was too much. What was Touya doing here?! This was too close to changing the past, so she'd have to watch her step. "My…my name is…" She hesitated. Did he know about Hiketsu? No, she was pretty sure that only Kelsey and herself knew about the Priestesses. "My name is Hiketsu."
"I've had stories about her," the Shinobi remarked thoughtfully. "You must be wise and compassionate to be given a name like that."
Oh, Touya, if only you knew…
"My mother just liked the name." Then she suffered a horrible fear. Touya and Jin were good friends. What if the Wind Master was also here? She doubted she'd be able to keep up her masquerade if he was present. "…Touya…were you the only one captured?"
"Besides you, yes." He sighed. "I was a bit impulsive, thinking that I could take them all on…unfortunately, they proved me to be wrong."
Kia fervently wished that she hadn't been bound so tightly. She hadn't thought to put her hood back up after she had left, and now she deeply regretted it. If the Ice Master saw her…
"'Ey, lookit! The girl's gone and woken up!" A triple-horned youkai bent down, grinning at Kia with a mouthful of blackened teeth…most of them missing. "Now we can begin!"
She didn't like the sound of that. "Begin what…?"
"Well, we don' know if we wants you or not, cutie." He tweaked her nose. She flinched. "So we has a little idea, see? You goes up there and sings for us, and we decides which one of us wants you for a slave."
She DEFINITELY didn't like the sound of that either. "And what if I don't WANT to sing?"
Swiftly, the youkai moved his hand. Kia heard a low groan and Touya's body went slack, sliding down somewhat.
"Touya!!"
"Then we kills your companion and we kills you as well, after we each has our turn with you, see?" He smirked, turning to her. "So how about it? You agree?"
She didn't have much of a choice. If she died, there'd be no hope for Kelsey, and she didn't want Touya to be killed. "Fine. I'll do it."
"Atta girl." He produced a knife from one of his large boots, and slashed through her bonds. The ropes fell away and he pulled her to her feet. "Now start walking. I may have to hurts you if you fights." He made her go in front, keeping the knife close at her back as he herded her into a sloppy circle, made by burning the grass into a curved line. "You sings in there."
Kia cautiously stepped into the circle. As an afterthought, she tried to step out again. Almost immediately, a wall of yellow flames rose up and she leaped back, shaken.
"Ain't no escapin', til we say so, girlie!" Another demon called out. This one wore a black patch over his left eye and seemed vaguely human. "So you gonna sing for us?"
Like she had a say in the matter. The girl closed her eyes, trying to gather any remnants of courage that might be hiding. It didn't really help--she was terrified. Too much of this was risky. She had to sing, or Touya would die. She would die. Kelsey would die. She'd never sung in front of an audience before, but…
"Just sing…pretend they're not there…"
Kia blinked. Who had spoken? It was more in her mind than out loud, but…who? A second later, she sighed. It didn't matter.
"I have to…"
The youkai, beginning to mutter and yell at the quiet girl in the circle, fell silent when a clear voice drifted out over the crowd.
"Yume no kuni wo sagasu kimi no na wo
Dare mo ga kokoro ni kizamu made
Kanashimi norikoeta hohoemi ni
Kimi wo shinjite ii desu ka?
Your name is searching for the land of your dreams,
Until someone engraves it in their heart.
For sadness won't surpass the smile I'll have.
Can I believe in you?" (A/N: This is from Will, the theme from Senkai Houshin Engi)
"Keep it goin', girl!" One of the rowdy males bellowed, grinning.
Kia did so.
"Owari ga nakute mitsukerarenakutte
mayottari shita keredo
kizutsuita koto ushinatta mono
itsuka wa kagayaki ni kaete…
No end could be found,
Thought I'm still wandering inside
Wounded, and lost.
Someday I'll change into something shining…"
Wolf whistles and cheers could be heard. And the song achieved another purpose, than what it was originally intended for.
Kurama, still diligently searching for Kia, heard a voice in the distance. A sweet, clear sound with a firm resonation and a good pitch. And something urged him to follow it…so he did.
When the Mirror Holder finished the song, her enthusiastic audience stared at her with big eyes. She blinked.
"Another one," the youkai with the eye-patch said wistfully.
Kia paused. What now? And then she knew. It was if Kelsey herself was present.
"This one you can actually do yourselves. I'll teach you the movements."
When Kurama entered the campsite of the youkai bandits, he saw quite an interesting sight.
Kia stood inside a circle, singing. All of the thieves were singing as well, in loud drunken tones and dancing.
"It's just a jump to the left!" The girl called out.
"And then a step to the riiiiight!" The others yelled gleefully.
"Put your hands on your hips…"
They obeyed. "And bring your knees in tiiiiight!"
"But it's the pelvic thrust…"
"That really drives you insaaaaaane!"
"Let's do the Time Warp again!"
The Youko stared. What was going on?
At that moment, Kia looked up, spotting him. Her eyes lit up. "Kurama!" All too late, she realized she probably should have kept her mouth shut. The youkai turned…and then went after Kurama with a group yell. As they did so, the girl discovered that she could step outside the circle. Whoever had cast the flame spell was obviously distracted by the intruder. She wasted no time in checking on Touya. The diminutive Shinobi was still unconscious, sprawled on the ground. This time remembering to yank her hood over her head, Kia gathered him into her arms and ran towards Kurama.
"Kurama, let's go!"
"What do you think I'm TRYING to do??" The kitsune retorted, keeping his attackers at bay with his Rose Whip. "Run! I'll catch up later!"
The Mirror Holder had her doubts, but heeded the voice of authority and sprinted into the relative safety of the forest. She only stopped running when she could no longer hear angry voices, laying Touya on the floor which was carpeted with a rich green moss. "Whew…"
"Ugh…" The Ice Master stirred, opening his eyes. Kia was somewhat surprised to see that he looked the same as he did in the future. "…Hiketsu?"
"You're alright now," the girl said reassuringly, helping him rise to a sitting position. "I'm sorry…"
"Don't be…thanks to you, I'm free." He smiled at her. "Might I look upon the face of my rescuer?"
"I'd prefer that you didn't." Kia sighed. "It...it's complicated to explain. I'd just rather not show you…"
"If that is what you wish, then I will not pressure you further." Touya stood up, bowing to her. "My heartfelt thanks, Hiketsu-san. May we meet again."
She smiled, knowing he wouldn't see it. "I'm sure we will, Touya."
With another bow, the Shinobi left her. And Kurama soon found her, sitting quietly on the ground, head bowed.
"You came for me…" Her voice was soft and he had to strain to hear it. "Why?"
"Yuumei would kill me if I let anything happen to you." He extended his hand to her. "And besides, how can I seduce you if you're not there?"
To his surprise, the girl didn't lash out at him for that comment. She took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. "Thanks, Kurama…I knew there was a nice side to you…somewhere."
He shook his head. "My dear Priestess, you are mistaken."
"Maybe…maybe not…" They started walking, content to travel in silence, each one lost in his or her own thoughts.
*OOC*
Well, a timely IM from Lexi-chan hath renewed my typing speeds! Currently, I'm avoiding the crazy adults downstairs…you know how it is, adults and wine and a teenager…anyway, please review! And let's congratulate Kia for getting past Touya without screwing things up! Didn't know she could sing, did ya? ^.~ NEXT chapter!
* We find out a bit more about Akumu, and guess which evil sorceress is back? Hint: She has ten-inch-long black fingernails…
* Guess who finally gets tranqed…and you'd never guess how much effort Rei and Yusuke have to put into it…not to mention poor Rinku, still trying to run from the prying Kuwabara!
* Kia discovers that she and Kurama aren't alone when she starts to sing, and she ends up with a nice harmony…but no one else is there!
^^ Whew…moving is exhausting…
Lexi-chan's updates have inspired me. So I will endure Dad's cynical insults every time he comes upstairs and bite my tongue…thanks everyone for reviewing! And thanks to Shin-san, for doing that fanfic survey for DnK…I promise, I'll do one for you once yours is done. ^^ I felt so loved. May do one for Chloe-chan too…and Kelsey's Draika…and…and…stuff.
Last chapter, Kia and Kurama had a brief tussle, Shishiwakamaru is running rampant in Ningenkai, and Rinku's trying to hide from the questioning mob of Kuwabara, Chuu, and Suzuki! Pray for him. On second thought, pray for them all…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kia's assumption had been correct. They'd been walking for almost three days, with no sign of the Mirror Half for their troubles. The girl was getting worried, knowing she only had about six days left (A/N: That'll be explained really quickly!) in which to find the half and return it to Kelsey's lifeless body. She could sense it very faintly, and knew that if they continued to dawdle, it would take them another week to reach it.
"Why did you HAVE to stop and steal that…that…something-or-other, anyway?" Kia looked at Kurama, still a bit miffed. On a rest stop in a small village, a large red gem had caught his eye. Unfortunately, the gem was resting around the neck of the chief's daughter as she paraded about. That hadn't stopped him--he hadn't even been caught by the angry villagers, though their efforts were admirable. Poor Kia wasn't so lucky. Before she could even defend herself, she'd been caught and imprisoned in someone's damp cellar, costing her another five days. Kurama had finally freed her, but the damage had already been done. Precious time had been lost.
The Youko was currently admiring the gem, rolling it languidly in his palm, before he tucked it into Kia's backpack. "It was pretty. I like pretty things. They remind me of me."
"You're hopeless." The Mirror Holder was doing her best to remember Kurama as her well-mannered and considerate friend, but the more time she spent in THIS Kurama's company, the more she disliked him. "I have a deadline, of sorts, and you get me captured so you CAN STEAL A ROCK?!"
"A PRETTY rock," he corrected her.
Kia forgot all attempts of politeness and turned to face him, throwing back her hood. Her brown eyes shone with a sort of chilled fury. "This isn't a GAME, Kurama. My friend is currently in Ningenkai, fighting for her LIFE, and thanks to you, I now have less time to find the Mirror Half and take it back! I am NOT going to let her die because of YOUR greediness!"
Kurama involuntarily took a step back, ears leaning back to rest against his pale hair. The energy coming from the girl was unnerving. "Wait…"
"Just go away before you make things worse!" She turned on her heel and stomped off. She didn't even glance back once, and soon she had vanished from sight.
The Youko stood there, unsure. Should he go after her or go back to his simple and pleasurable life, thieving and having the occasional fling with female Youkos? She reminded him of someone, strong-willed…one that wouldn't easily fall for his good looks and charisma.
"This is getting too complicated for me," he muttered, turning to go. And then he heard a scream. A flock of small birds roosting in a nearby tree took flight, startled by the sudden noise. Kurama was startled as well. That scream sounded very familiar…
"Shit…" Cursing himself for letting her go off alone, Kurama broke into a run. His search soon proved futile. Kia was nowhere to be found and she didn't scream again.
"This can't be good…"
******
Kia opened her eyes groggily, then sneezed. All sleepiness vanished when she looked around, and discovered that her ankles had been bound with coarse rope, tied tightly, with the knot digging into her skin. And it wasn't just her ankles. More rope was wrapped securely around her chest, and her back was pressed against something, binding her to it. But what WAS it? And where was she? What had happened? She remembered yelling at Kurama, storming off, and then being tackled. She'd screamed, thinking it was the Youko at first, but then an odd-smelling cloth had been pressed over her face and…
"What…" She blinked several times. Apparently, she'd been kidnapped…but by who? And why?
"Oh, good, you're awake…you've been quiet for quite some time now."
It was only then that the brunette realized what she was bound to. Another person. And that voice…
Oh, shit…please don't be who I think it is…
"Who…who are you?" She tried to turn her head to verify her suspicion, but the rope chafed her and it definitely wasn't very comfortable.
"My name is Touya…and what's your name? I believe we've been captured by a band of youkai thieves. No doubt they want to use my ice skills, and you sound feminine, so they'll probably use you for a slave."
Kia took a deep breath, remembering to let it out after a minute. She wasn't going to lose her composure…but this was too much. What was Touya doing here?! This was too close to changing the past, so she'd have to watch her step. "My…my name is…" She hesitated. Did he know about Hiketsu? No, she was pretty sure that only Kelsey and herself knew about the Priestesses. "My name is Hiketsu."
"I've had stories about her," the Shinobi remarked thoughtfully. "You must be wise and compassionate to be given a name like that."
Oh, Touya, if only you knew…
"My mother just liked the name." Then she suffered a horrible fear. Touya and Jin were good friends. What if the Wind Master was also here? She doubted she'd be able to keep up her masquerade if he was present. "…Touya…were you the only one captured?"
"Besides you, yes." He sighed. "I was a bit impulsive, thinking that I could take them all on…unfortunately, they proved me to be wrong."
Kia fervently wished that she hadn't been bound so tightly. She hadn't thought to put her hood back up after she had left, and now she deeply regretted it. If the Ice Master saw her…
"'Ey, lookit! The girl's gone and woken up!" A triple-horned youkai bent down, grinning at Kia with a mouthful of blackened teeth…most of them missing. "Now we can begin!"
She didn't like the sound of that. "Begin what…?"
"Well, we don' know if we wants you or not, cutie." He tweaked her nose. She flinched. "So we has a little idea, see? You goes up there and sings for us, and we decides which one of us wants you for a slave."
She DEFINITELY didn't like the sound of that either. "And what if I don't WANT to sing?"
Swiftly, the youkai moved his hand. Kia heard a low groan and Touya's body went slack, sliding down somewhat.
"Touya!!"
"Then we kills your companion and we kills you as well, after we each has our turn with you, see?" He smirked, turning to her. "So how about it? You agree?"
She didn't have much of a choice. If she died, there'd be no hope for Kelsey, and she didn't want Touya to be killed. "Fine. I'll do it."
"Atta girl." He produced a knife from one of his large boots, and slashed through her bonds. The ropes fell away and he pulled her to her feet. "Now start walking. I may have to hurts you if you fights." He made her go in front, keeping the knife close at her back as he herded her into a sloppy circle, made by burning the grass into a curved line. "You sings in there."
Kia cautiously stepped into the circle. As an afterthought, she tried to step out again. Almost immediately, a wall of yellow flames rose up and she leaped back, shaken.
"Ain't no escapin', til we say so, girlie!" Another demon called out. This one wore a black patch over his left eye and seemed vaguely human. "So you gonna sing for us?"
Like she had a say in the matter. The girl closed her eyes, trying to gather any remnants of courage that might be hiding. It didn't really help--she was terrified. Too much of this was risky. She had to sing, or Touya would die. She would die. Kelsey would die. She'd never sung in front of an audience before, but…
"Just sing…pretend they're not there…"
Kia blinked. Who had spoken? It was more in her mind than out loud, but…who? A second later, she sighed. It didn't matter.
"I have to…"
The youkai, beginning to mutter and yell at the quiet girl in the circle, fell silent when a clear voice drifted out over the crowd.
"Yume no kuni wo sagasu kimi no na wo
Dare mo ga kokoro ni kizamu made
Kanashimi norikoeta hohoemi ni
Kimi wo shinjite ii desu ka?
Your name is searching for the land of your dreams,
Until someone engraves it in their heart.
For sadness won't surpass the smile I'll have.
Can I believe in you?" (A/N: This is from Will, the theme from Senkai Houshin Engi)
"Keep it goin', girl!" One of the rowdy males bellowed, grinning.
Kia did so.
"Owari ga nakute mitsukerarenakutte
mayottari shita keredo
kizutsuita koto ushinatta mono
itsuka wa kagayaki ni kaete…
No end could be found,
Thought I'm still wandering inside
Wounded, and lost.
Someday I'll change into something shining…"
Wolf whistles and cheers could be heard. And the song achieved another purpose, than what it was originally intended for.
Kurama, still diligently searching for Kia, heard a voice in the distance. A sweet, clear sound with a firm resonation and a good pitch. And something urged him to follow it…so he did.
When the Mirror Holder finished the song, her enthusiastic audience stared at her with big eyes. She blinked.
"Another one," the youkai with the eye-patch said wistfully.
Kia paused. What now? And then she knew. It was if Kelsey herself was present.
"This one you can actually do yourselves. I'll teach you the movements."
When Kurama entered the campsite of the youkai bandits, he saw quite an interesting sight.
Kia stood inside a circle, singing. All of the thieves were singing as well, in loud drunken tones and dancing.
"It's just a jump to the left!" The girl called out.
"And then a step to the riiiiight!" The others yelled gleefully.
"Put your hands on your hips…"
They obeyed. "And bring your knees in tiiiiight!"
"But it's the pelvic thrust…"
"That really drives you insaaaaaane!"
"Let's do the Time Warp again!"
The Youko stared. What was going on?
At that moment, Kia looked up, spotting him. Her eyes lit up. "Kurama!" All too late, she realized she probably should have kept her mouth shut. The youkai turned…and then went after Kurama with a group yell. As they did so, the girl discovered that she could step outside the circle. Whoever had cast the flame spell was obviously distracted by the intruder. She wasted no time in checking on Touya. The diminutive Shinobi was still unconscious, sprawled on the ground. This time remembering to yank her hood over her head, Kia gathered him into her arms and ran towards Kurama.
"Kurama, let's go!"
"What do you think I'm TRYING to do??" The kitsune retorted, keeping his attackers at bay with his Rose Whip. "Run! I'll catch up later!"
The Mirror Holder had her doubts, but heeded the voice of authority and sprinted into the relative safety of the forest. She only stopped running when she could no longer hear angry voices, laying Touya on the floor which was carpeted with a rich green moss. "Whew…"
"Ugh…" The Ice Master stirred, opening his eyes. Kia was somewhat surprised to see that he looked the same as he did in the future. "…Hiketsu?"
"You're alright now," the girl said reassuringly, helping him rise to a sitting position. "I'm sorry…"
"Don't be…thanks to you, I'm free." He smiled at her. "Might I look upon the face of my rescuer?"
"I'd prefer that you didn't." Kia sighed. "It...it's complicated to explain. I'd just rather not show you…"
"If that is what you wish, then I will not pressure you further." Touya stood up, bowing to her. "My heartfelt thanks, Hiketsu-san. May we meet again."
She smiled, knowing he wouldn't see it. "I'm sure we will, Touya."
With another bow, the Shinobi left her. And Kurama soon found her, sitting quietly on the ground, head bowed.
"You came for me…" Her voice was soft and he had to strain to hear it. "Why?"
"Yuumei would kill me if I let anything happen to you." He extended his hand to her. "And besides, how can I seduce you if you're not there?"
To his surprise, the girl didn't lash out at him for that comment. She took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet. "Thanks, Kurama…I knew there was a nice side to you…somewhere."
He shook his head. "My dear Priestess, you are mistaken."
"Maybe…maybe not…" They started walking, content to travel in silence, each one lost in his or her own thoughts.
*OOC*
Well, a timely IM from Lexi-chan hath renewed my typing speeds! Currently, I'm avoiding the crazy adults downstairs…you know how it is, adults and wine and a teenager…anyway, please review! And let's congratulate Kia for getting past Touya without screwing things up! Didn't know she could sing, did ya? ^.~ NEXT chapter!
* We find out a bit more about Akumu, and guess which evil sorceress is back? Hint: She has ten-inch-long black fingernails…
* Guess who finally gets tranqed…and you'd never guess how much effort Rei and Yusuke have to put into it…not to mention poor Rinku, still trying to run from the prying Kuwabara!
* Kia discovers that she and Kurama aren't alone when she starts to sing, and she ends up with a nice harmony…but no one else is there!
^^ Whew…moving is exhausting…