Okay, first off, I got a very beautiful poem from someone…I have no idea who it is, but if you'll tell me, I'll only be too happy to credit you. Sammy-san, I'll post yours next chapter. And thanks to Kodomo Hikari for reviewing! ^^ It's been awhile, but thank you very much for the compliment! As for canonizing…aiii, I don't think it's THAT popular. ^^;; And Bara-chan, any outtakes are gladly welcomed. I'm STILL searching. @.@ Anyway, poem.
Should it be taken as a coincidence,
That this story, this legend, come in full turn?
From the influence of a mere mirror, comes
Power, corruption, and
The undying desire to save a lifelong friend.
The bonds once created, which can now never be broken,
Created by those living, passed, or not yet born,
No matter the time, world, or state of being
One resides in;
And a promise, scribed on the inside of a silver ring,
Telling of a hope, a dream, yet to take flight.
A legend in which a young girl was dragged through time,
Attacked by evil sea monkeys and seagulls pumped on steroids,
And whom had saved the world thrice,
Only to have her friend torn away, much like the glowing
Mirror-half from her body.
As if having to spend every minute knowing that
Every second wasted was a second closer to death
For the holder of courage
Was bad enough;
Along came a Youko,
Close as a brother in modern day,
But completely unbearable night after night.
The battle was fought,
Mother and daughter side by side,
Whilst unbeknownst to them,
The time of Tommorrow
Was drawing nigh.
The golden light had been recovered,
The memories erased,
And the river of time opened,
Allowing Kindness to ride its current
In order to perform her last dying wish.
The halves were united,
But alas, it was too late,
As the gentle holder fell to the floor,
Blood and tears pooling like a lake.
But a priestess,
Whom lore had never forgot,
Marched right to the desk of the ruler of hell himself,
And threatened to beat the snot
Out of the little toddler
If all was not set right.
Her existance restored,
And not with a dry eye left in the house,
Kia lived, only to be visited by Hiketsu that night.
The priestesses would leave,
Finally content with the way things were,
But left a parting gift,
To make sure the mirror halves were secure.
And this all ties back,
Before the seven artifacts, before Netami,
Before the coming of cookie sheets and Reiki,
To the legend told to every
Young youkai child,
Before they curled up to sleep,
A legend about the priestesses and Ashita,
And the Densetsu no Kagami.
Anyway…last chapter, stuff happened. Read it. I must get writing before something else distracts me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For reasons she couldn't comprehend, Kia couldn't tear her eyes away from Hiei.
Maybe it was because he was balanced on a large red and yellow ball, juggling the Mirror Halves, and singing "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" very loudly and obnoxiously. Yes, she was sure that was it.
A faint voice spoke, the gentle whisper nevertheless effectively drowning out the Jaganshi's melodic words. "I believe it is time you awoke, Satsukiame…"
Kia sat upright, one hand clutching her blankets to her chest. Panting slightly, she cast her eyes about the still-darkened room. They landed on Jin, who was floating above the chair placed by her bed. He seemed to be asleep.
The girl frowned as she studied him. He looked thinner…had he lost weight? And he was sleeping so soundly…
As if he had felt her eyes on him, the Wind Master stirred, then stretched out his arms, yawning as he did so. Blinking blearily, he drifted back down to settle in the chair…and then caught sight of the brunette sitting up in bed, her hair mussed.
"…Kia…?"
"That's me," she replied, coughing to clear her throat. "Nice to see you again…"
Jin abruptly leapt forward and caught her up into a tight, bone-crushing hug. The bed bounced slightly from the force of his jump and it was all Kia could do to get in a good breath of air before she had it expelled from her lungs. She was about to say something, but stopped when she felt his body shaking. Was he…crying?
"Jin…"
"You're one incredible lass…" He pulled back slightly and she could see that his blue eyes were curiously bright. "But…" He hugged her again. "Don' EVER do a thing like that again, you hear?"
"I don't plan to." The Mirror Holder discovered just how much she had missed being in the comforting security of Jin's arms. Had it really been that long?
"Oh, good, you're up!" Kelsey entered the room, riding piggyback style on Shishiwakamaru's back. "Everyone was starting to get worried again. What TOOK you so long?"
"You just woke up three hours ago," Kurama pointed out, having followed them in. He smiled at the pair on the bed. "How are you feeling, Kia?"
"Like crap," she admitted, with a wry grin as she and Jin separated. "But I'll recover, considering I didn't think I was ever going to wake up again." She looked thoughtful. "I'm still not sure how crap feels, though."
The Youko chuckled. "You still retain your sense of humor, it seems." For a moment, he looked uncomfortable, and then smiled. "We're expecting visitors soon…but while we wait, shall we try to get some food into you?"
"Chocolate?" The girl asked hopefully.
Kelsey laughed. "Nice try. He gave me some dry toast and soup."
Kurama turned to go. "And it will be the same for her as well," he called over his shoulder. "You'll get your chocolate in due time…ONCE you're completely recovered."
"Awwwww…" Kia said petulantly.
"KIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, YOU'RE AWAAAAAAAAAAAKE!" A small blur joined Jin and Kia on the bed, practically knocking over the latter as he wrapped his arms around her and beamed up at her exultantly.
Bemused, the brunette finally realized who it was. "Rinku!" She hugged him back, kissing his cheek. For once, he didn't shy away from it. "How've you been?"
"Real good, now that you and Kelsey are better!" He informed her. "And I didn't tell anyone where you went, either!" His small chest swelled up with pride. "They figured it out on their own, but they got nothing from me! Even when Kuwabara, Suzuki, and Chuu trapped me in the closet! I promised I wouldn't tell, and I didn't!"
Kia smiled down at him. "I knew you wouldn't…that's why I told you." As the rest of his words sunk in, she raised her eyebrows. "Wait a minute…Kuwabara, Suzuki, and Chuu TRAPPED you in the closet??"
"Yep!" Rinku had a feeling those three were in big trouble with the gentle Mirror Holder.
He was right. "KUWABARA, SUZUKI, CHUU, GET YOUR SORRY ASSES IN HERE RIGHT NOW!"
A few minutes later, the three skidded into the room. "She's awake!" Suzuki exclaimed, relieved. "Thank goodness…"
"You might be singing a different tune once I'm done with you." The girl glared at him. "Did you trap Rinku in the closet?"
Suddenly wary, he hesitated, temporizing. "Uh…"
"DID you?"
"That would be a 'yes'." Hiei strolled in, looking bored. He gave Kia a curt nod and sat in the chair that Jin had abandoned.
The Mirror Holder inclined her head in reply, and then looked back at the guilty party of three, who were now fidgeting and looking around nervously. "Once I feel like moving, you're all doomed."
Rinku grinned contentedly, snug in the lap and encircling arms of his defender.
Kurama reentered, bearing a tray of dry toast and a mug of steaming tea. He shooed both Rinku and Jin away from the Mirror Holder and settled the tray on her lap. "Eat up. You need to recover your strength."
"You HAVE been asleep for four days, after all." Touya had come in as well, permitting himself a smile as he gazed calmly at Kia. "And you'll need to be awake to greet…" He stopped as the doorbell rang. "Ah."
"I'LL GET IT!" Rei shrieked from the living room. "Axe loves company!"
The Ice Master shook his head. "I'd better go too…those poor people…" He quickly hurried off to reach the door before the zany priestess could get there first.
"Hey…" Kelsey blinked, sliding off Shishiwakamaru's back to sit cross-legged on her own bed. "Where'd Three-eyes go?"
Surprised, the others looked around. Without anyone noticing, Hiei had departed.
Kurama smiled reassuringly. "He's not one for company," he explained. "He'll come back later."
"Oh, darn. And I just wanted to give him a big hug." A silvery-haired girl leaned in the doorway, arms crossed. "Maybe next time."
"Mizu!" Kia cried out, surprised.
"Hey, there!" The kitsune walked over to hug her. "Heard you two have had a lot of excitement recently."
Kelsey grimaced. "You're not kidding."
"I heard the same thing." Khnum grinned at them over Mikuru's head. Kijo, Hazard, Aideen were ranged around them. All of them were smiling. "Honestly, fighting us isn't enough adventure for you? So picky."
"HEEEEEEEY, GUYS!" Rei flew into the room, tackling Khnum and knocking him to the floor. Aideen and Kijo hastily moved aside to avoid the same fate as their tall friend. "It's been awhile, hasn't it? I missed yooouuuuuuu!"
"Rei," Hazard muttered, bending to see if the groaning Khnum was all right. "You just saw us."
Mikuru giggled, toying with a strand of red hair. "It's good to know she hasn't changed a bit. Or Axe."
Aideen rolled her mint-green eyes. "Please, don't encourage her."
"What are you guys doing here?" Kia looked bewildered. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, of course, but--"
"They were probably worried about you. I believe everyone in Makai has heard about the recent events."
Both girls gaped at the newest arrival, who was accompanied by a grinning Kyattsuai.
"M…M…Mukuro?!" Kelsey finally stammered. "How did you…when did you…"
"Like I said, EVERYONE in Makai heard about the Mirror Holders and what happened." The demon lord smirked. "Including myself."
A pale glimmer announced the presence of Hiketsu, who drifted near the girl's bed. When she spoke, it was that same whispering tone that Kia had heard in her dreams. "Things have been resolved…it's time for me to join Fukumi."
"But…wait…Hiketsu!" Kia protested. "You never really explained--"
"Oh, right." The Priestess turned to those gathered and took a deep breath. "Fukumi and I have transferred the remnants of our power into Kelsey and Kia. That explains the power surge that some of you may have felt two days ago, even though both girls remained asleep. Their power has grown exponentially, and it is not just thanks to us. They've gained better control over their own reiki and their Mirror Halves."
Touya nodded, indicating that he understood. "Hiketsu-san, I have two questions. First…why did Kelsey sleep as long as Kia did, even though she was not in the battle and hadn't lost her life?"
"Kelsey WAS in the battle," Hiketsu replied, a smile making the corners of her blue eyes crinkle slightly. "When Kia needed her most, she was there, to help her friend wield the awesome power of the Densetsu no Kagami in all its entirety. In essence, her SOUL was there. She sensed Kia's dilemma and helped in the only way that she could…by being there. It was a great risk, but both girls survived. However, that depleted not only Kia's energy, but Kelsey's as well."
"You just can't keep me down," Kelsey said proudly.
The Ice Master nodded once more. "Thank you. And…as for my second question…" He hesitated.
Hiketsu glanced at him. "Yes?"
"Well…have I met you before? The name sounds rather familiar…"
The older Mirror Holder cringed. Of course…Touya WOULD know Hiketsu, since she'd used that name in front of him.
The Priestess looked thoughtful for a moment, and then smiled warmly. "Yes, my dear Ice Master, you have." She bowed to Kia and Kelsey, then straightened. "And now I must take my leave. Farewell, my friends…I leave for a great journey…" And she disappeared.
"Now, then…" Mukuro cleared her throat, looking meaningfully at the two Mirror Holders. "Kelsey, if Kia had gotten hit, she would have died. Kia, if you hadn't gone after your friend's half, SHE would have died. And if you both had died, Netami would have gotten possession of the Densetsu no Kagami, and no doubt would have destroyed most everything. So…on behalf of Yomi and myself…and the rest of the Makai, who will never admit that you've saved them all…" She knelt on the floor. "I thank you."
"Mukuro!!" Kia yelped, incredibly overwhelmed by the sight of a powerful demon lord genuflecting to them. "Please, get up, I was just…I didn't…"
"You did," the woman interrupted her, rising. "And that is that. You've both grown since I last saw you…and Kia."
"Hai?"
She smiled. "You're like your father…but most of all, you are yourself. Now, both of you, rest up. You're going to need it, I guarantee." Mizu, Rei, and the other five Guardians grinned knowingly.
Kelsey sighed heavily. "We've slept too much already!" She complained.
Her friend took a sip of tea, nodding. "What do you mean, we're going to…" She trailed off, realizing it was pointless to ask. Mukuro and the Guardians had already left the room. She could hear Rei yell "GLOMP THE DEMON LORD!" and decided that it was better just to finish her tea and do as Mukuro had recommended.
"Just stay in bed," Kurama advised, as he took away the tray. "I'll check in on both of you in an hour or so." He and the others left…with the exception of Jin and Shishiwakamaru.
"You sure you're all right?" Jin bent down to look Kia in the eyes. She gazed back with a placid expression.
"I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."
"SOMEBODY does!" He hugged her again, planted a light kiss on her mouth, and floated out the door after the others. The girl touched her lips with two fingers, then sighed quietly. She'd definitely missed him.
"Errrr…hem." Shishiwakamaru coughed loudly. When the girls looked at him quizzically, he frowned deeply, looking perturbed about something. "Ah…I…I believe I have to thank you…Kia. For saving Kelsey."
Kia blinked. "You're welcome…" Why did he look so uncomfortable?
The samurai coughed some more, and then suddenly thrust out his hand to the startled brunette. "I…apologize…for…for being so…"
"Rude?" Kelsey supplied.
He nodded, his discomfort growing by leaps and bounds every second that passed. "So…I hope we can…set our differences aside and make amends…"
Kia eyed his hand for a moment, and then slowly reached out and clasped it with one of her own. They shook firmly and then Shishiwakamaru hugged Kelsey and fled.
"Never thought I'd see that," the blonde girl remarked. "You two have been fighting for…two years now, I think. At LEAST two years."
The other giggled. "He just wants to make sure he stays on my good side until you marry him. Then we'll probably fight again once he's guaranteed that you'll still love him even if he pisses me off."
"Hey…" Kelsey glared at her. "Who's getting married?!"
"You are," Kia said sweetly, not fazed at all by her friend's murderous stare. "Eventually."
"Okay, that's it!" Kelsey seized her pillow and hurled it at the other girl. She scored a direct hit as it smacked Kia in the face. "Friend or not, you are NOT getting away with that comment!"
In response, the Mirror Holder began to hum the Wedding March as she threw the pillow back.
In the living room, everyone listened to the shrieks, yells, and laughter filtering from the bedroom.
Suzuki sighed. "They call that resting?"
"Leave 'em be." Chuu took a swig from his bottle and belched. "It'll keep Kia from going after us for lockin' Rinku in that closet."
"Hmmm…good point."
"GLOMP HIEI!" Rei yelled from outside. "THE MIDGET NEEDS A HUG, AXE!"
Kurama stood up, looking weary. "Well, then, I'll just be heading home now…"
"Yeah, me too," Kuwabara quickly agreed.
Touya nodded, chuckling when the shouts from the bedroom grew louder.
"I'M NOT MARRYING HIM!"
"That's what they ALL say."
"Here's what I say…your ass is going down!"
"Bring it on! I dealt with Netami's twisted sex slave, I can DEFINITELY deal with you!"
A crash, a thud, and those in the living room shook their heads and sighed in unison. Life was definitely back to normal…well…as normal as it got around there, anyway.
*OOC*
^^ 9 pages…I love it when I'm in a writing mood. Please review, three chapters left. . Aiiiii…anyway, NEXT chapter!!
* Kurama apologizes to Kia for…that Youko stuff. Will she forgive him?
* More visitors…including the old grandma we know and love, and yes…our favorite home boy in teenaged form, Koenma! Watch the girls try to keep a straight face…
* A very special surprise, once Kia tells Kelsey everything that happened in the past. Kelsey, you'll finally learn why I needed Suka's description…
Should it be taken as a coincidence,
That this story, this legend, come in full turn?
From the influence of a mere mirror, comes
Power, corruption, and
The undying desire to save a lifelong friend.
The bonds once created, which can now never be broken,
Created by those living, passed, or not yet born,
No matter the time, world, or state of being
One resides in;
And a promise, scribed on the inside of a silver ring,
Telling of a hope, a dream, yet to take flight.
A legend in which a young girl was dragged through time,
Attacked by evil sea monkeys and seagulls pumped on steroids,
And whom had saved the world thrice,
Only to have her friend torn away, much like the glowing
Mirror-half from her body.
As if having to spend every minute knowing that
Every second wasted was a second closer to death
For the holder of courage
Was bad enough;
Along came a Youko,
Close as a brother in modern day,
But completely unbearable night after night.
The battle was fought,
Mother and daughter side by side,
Whilst unbeknownst to them,
The time of Tommorrow
Was drawing nigh.
The golden light had been recovered,
The memories erased,
And the river of time opened,
Allowing Kindness to ride its current
In order to perform her last dying wish.
The halves were united,
But alas, it was too late,
As the gentle holder fell to the floor,
Blood and tears pooling like a lake.
But a priestess,
Whom lore had never forgot,
Marched right to the desk of the ruler of hell himself,
And threatened to beat the snot
Out of the little toddler
If all was not set right.
Her existance restored,
And not with a dry eye left in the house,
Kia lived, only to be visited by Hiketsu that night.
The priestesses would leave,
Finally content with the way things were,
But left a parting gift,
To make sure the mirror halves were secure.
And this all ties back,
Before the seven artifacts, before Netami,
Before the coming of cookie sheets and Reiki,
To the legend told to every
Young youkai child,
Before they curled up to sleep,
A legend about the priestesses and Ashita,
And the Densetsu no Kagami.
Anyway…last chapter, stuff happened. Read it. I must get writing before something else distracts me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For reasons she couldn't comprehend, Kia couldn't tear her eyes away from Hiei.
Maybe it was because he was balanced on a large red and yellow ball, juggling the Mirror Halves, and singing "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" very loudly and obnoxiously. Yes, she was sure that was it.
A faint voice spoke, the gentle whisper nevertheless effectively drowning out the Jaganshi's melodic words. "I believe it is time you awoke, Satsukiame…"
Kia sat upright, one hand clutching her blankets to her chest. Panting slightly, she cast her eyes about the still-darkened room. They landed on Jin, who was floating above the chair placed by her bed. He seemed to be asleep.
The girl frowned as she studied him. He looked thinner…had he lost weight? And he was sleeping so soundly…
As if he had felt her eyes on him, the Wind Master stirred, then stretched out his arms, yawning as he did so. Blinking blearily, he drifted back down to settle in the chair…and then caught sight of the brunette sitting up in bed, her hair mussed.
"…Kia…?"
"That's me," she replied, coughing to clear her throat. "Nice to see you again…"
Jin abruptly leapt forward and caught her up into a tight, bone-crushing hug. The bed bounced slightly from the force of his jump and it was all Kia could do to get in a good breath of air before she had it expelled from her lungs. She was about to say something, but stopped when she felt his body shaking. Was he…crying?
"Jin…"
"You're one incredible lass…" He pulled back slightly and she could see that his blue eyes were curiously bright. "But…" He hugged her again. "Don' EVER do a thing like that again, you hear?"
"I don't plan to." The Mirror Holder discovered just how much she had missed being in the comforting security of Jin's arms. Had it really been that long?
"Oh, good, you're up!" Kelsey entered the room, riding piggyback style on Shishiwakamaru's back. "Everyone was starting to get worried again. What TOOK you so long?"
"You just woke up three hours ago," Kurama pointed out, having followed them in. He smiled at the pair on the bed. "How are you feeling, Kia?"
"Like crap," she admitted, with a wry grin as she and Jin separated. "But I'll recover, considering I didn't think I was ever going to wake up again." She looked thoughtful. "I'm still not sure how crap feels, though."
The Youko chuckled. "You still retain your sense of humor, it seems." For a moment, he looked uncomfortable, and then smiled. "We're expecting visitors soon…but while we wait, shall we try to get some food into you?"
"Chocolate?" The girl asked hopefully.
Kelsey laughed. "Nice try. He gave me some dry toast and soup."
Kurama turned to go. "And it will be the same for her as well," he called over his shoulder. "You'll get your chocolate in due time…ONCE you're completely recovered."
"Awwwww…" Kia said petulantly.
"KIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, YOU'RE AWAAAAAAAAAAAKE!" A small blur joined Jin and Kia on the bed, practically knocking over the latter as he wrapped his arms around her and beamed up at her exultantly.
Bemused, the brunette finally realized who it was. "Rinku!" She hugged him back, kissing his cheek. For once, he didn't shy away from it. "How've you been?"
"Real good, now that you and Kelsey are better!" He informed her. "And I didn't tell anyone where you went, either!" His small chest swelled up with pride. "They figured it out on their own, but they got nothing from me! Even when Kuwabara, Suzuki, and Chuu trapped me in the closet! I promised I wouldn't tell, and I didn't!"
Kia smiled down at him. "I knew you wouldn't…that's why I told you." As the rest of his words sunk in, she raised her eyebrows. "Wait a minute…Kuwabara, Suzuki, and Chuu TRAPPED you in the closet??"
"Yep!" Rinku had a feeling those three were in big trouble with the gentle Mirror Holder.
He was right. "KUWABARA, SUZUKI, CHUU, GET YOUR SORRY ASSES IN HERE RIGHT NOW!"
A few minutes later, the three skidded into the room. "She's awake!" Suzuki exclaimed, relieved. "Thank goodness…"
"You might be singing a different tune once I'm done with you." The girl glared at him. "Did you trap Rinku in the closet?"
Suddenly wary, he hesitated, temporizing. "Uh…"
"DID you?"
"That would be a 'yes'." Hiei strolled in, looking bored. He gave Kia a curt nod and sat in the chair that Jin had abandoned.
The Mirror Holder inclined her head in reply, and then looked back at the guilty party of three, who were now fidgeting and looking around nervously. "Once I feel like moving, you're all doomed."
Rinku grinned contentedly, snug in the lap and encircling arms of his defender.
Kurama reentered, bearing a tray of dry toast and a mug of steaming tea. He shooed both Rinku and Jin away from the Mirror Holder and settled the tray on her lap. "Eat up. You need to recover your strength."
"You HAVE been asleep for four days, after all." Touya had come in as well, permitting himself a smile as he gazed calmly at Kia. "And you'll need to be awake to greet…" He stopped as the doorbell rang. "Ah."
"I'LL GET IT!" Rei shrieked from the living room. "Axe loves company!"
The Ice Master shook his head. "I'd better go too…those poor people…" He quickly hurried off to reach the door before the zany priestess could get there first.
"Hey…" Kelsey blinked, sliding off Shishiwakamaru's back to sit cross-legged on her own bed. "Where'd Three-eyes go?"
Surprised, the others looked around. Without anyone noticing, Hiei had departed.
Kurama smiled reassuringly. "He's not one for company," he explained. "He'll come back later."
"Oh, darn. And I just wanted to give him a big hug." A silvery-haired girl leaned in the doorway, arms crossed. "Maybe next time."
"Mizu!" Kia cried out, surprised.
"Hey, there!" The kitsune walked over to hug her. "Heard you two have had a lot of excitement recently."
Kelsey grimaced. "You're not kidding."
"I heard the same thing." Khnum grinned at them over Mikuru's head. Kijo, Hazard, Aideen were ranged around them. All of them were smiling. "Honestly, fighting us isn't enough adventure for you? So picky."
"HEEEEEEEY, GUYS!" Rei flew into the room, tackling Khnum and knocking him to the floor. Aideen and Kijo hastily moved aside to avoid the same fate as their tall friend. "It's been awhile, hasn't it? I missed yooouuuuuuu!"
"Rei," Hazard muttered, bending to see if the groaning Khnum was all right. "You just saw us."
Mikuru giggled, toying with a strand of red hair. "It's good to know she hasn't changed a bit. Or Axe."
Aideen rolled her mint-green eyes. "Please, don't encourage her."
"What are you guys doing here?" Kia looked bewildered. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, of course, but--"
"They were probably worried about you. I believe everyone in Makai has heard about the recent events."
Both girls gaped at the newest arrival, who was accompanied by a grinning Kyattsuai.
"M…M…Mukuro?!" Kelsey finally stammered. "How did you…when did you…"
"Like I said, EVERYONE in Makai heard about the Mirror Holders and what happened." The demon lord smirked. "Including myself."
A pale glimmer announced the presence of Hiketsu, who drifted near the girl's bed. When she spoke, it was that same whispering tone that Kia had heard in her dreams. "Things have been resolved…it's time for me to join Fukumi."
"But…wait…Hiketsu!" Kia protested. "You never really explained--"
"Oh, right." The Priestess turned to those gathered and took a deep breath. "Fukumi and I have transferred the remnants of our power into Kelsey and Kia. That explains the power surge that some of you may have felt two days ago, even though both girls remained asleep. Their power has grown exponentially, and it is not just thanks to us. They've gained better control over their own reiki and their Mirror Halves."
Touya nodded, indicating that he understood. "Hiketsu-san, I have two questions. First…why did Kelsey sleep as long as Kia did, even though she was not in the battle and hadn't lost her life?"
"Kelsey WAS in the battle," Hiketsu replied, a smile making the corners of her blue eyes crinkle slightly. "When Kia needed her most, she was there, to help her friend wield the awesome power of the Densetsu no Kagami in all its entirety. In essence, her SOUL was there. She sensed Kia's dilemma and helped in the only way that she could…by being there. It was a great risk, but both girls survived. However, that depleted not only Kia's energy, but Kelsey's as well."
"You just can't keep me down," Kelsey said proudly.
The Ice Master nodded once more. "Thank you. And…as for my second question…" He hesitated.
Hiketsu glanced at him. "Yes?"
"Well…have I met you before? The name sounds rather familiar…"
The older Mirror Holder cringed. Of course…Touya WOULD know Hiketsu, since she'd used that name in front of him.
The Priestess looked thoughtful for a moment, and then smiled warmly. "Yes, my dear Ice Master, you have." She bowed to Kia and Kelsey, then straightened. "And now I must take my leave. Farewell, my friends…I leave for a great journey…" And she disappeared.
"Now, then…" Mukuro cleared her throat, looking meaningfully at the two Mirror Holders. "Kelsey, if Kia had gotten hit, she would have died. Kia, if you hadn't gone after your friend's half, SHE would have died. And if you both had died, Netami would have gotten possession of the Densetsu no Kagami, and no doubt would have destroyed most everything. So…on behalf of Yomi and myself…and the rest of the Makai, who will never admit that you've saved them all…" She knelt on the floor. "I thank you."
"Mukuro!!" Kia yelped, incredibly overwhelmed by the sight of a powerful demon lord genuflecting to them. "Please, get up, I was just…I didn't…"
"You did," the woman interrupted her, rising. "And that is that. You've both grown since I last saw you…and Kia."
"Hai?"
She smiled. "You're like your father…but most of all, you are yourself. Now, both of you, rest up. You're going to need it, I guarantee." Mizu, Rei, and the other five Guardians grinned knowingly.
Kelsey sighed heavily. "We've slept too much already!" She complained.
Her friend took a sip of tea, nodding. "What do you mean, we're going to…" She trailed off, realizing it was pointless to ask. Mukuro and the Guardians had already left the room. She could hear Rei yell "GLOMP THE DEMON LORD!" and decided that it was better just to finish her tea and do as Mukuro had recommended.
"Just stay in bed," Kurama advised, as he took away the tray. "I'll check in on both of you in an hour or so." He and the others left…with the exception of Jin and Shishiwakamaru.
"You sure you're all right?" Jin bent down to look Kia in the eyes. She gazed back with a placid expression.
"I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."
"SOMEBODY does!" He hugged her again, planted a light kiss on her mouth, and floated out the door after the others. The girl touched her lips with two fingers, then sighed quietly. She'd definitely missed him.
"Errrr…hem." Shishiwakamaru coughed loudly. When the girls looked at him quizzically, he frowned deeply, looking perturbed about something. "Ah…I…I believe I have to thank you…Kia. For saving Kelsey."
Kia blinked. "You're welcome…" Why did he look so uncomfortable?
The samurai coughed some more, and then suddenly thrust out his hand to the startled brunette. "I…apologize…for…for being so…"
"Rude?" Kelsey supplied.
He nodded, his discomfort growing by leaps and bounds every second that passed. "So…I hope we can…set our differences aside and make amends…"
Kia eyed his hand for a moment, and then slowly reached out and clasped it with one of her own. They shook firmly and then Shishiwakamaru hugged Kelsey and fled.
"Never thought I'd see that," the blonde girl remarked. "You two have been fighting for…two years now, I think. At LEAST two years."
The other giggled. "He just wants to make sure he stays on my good side until you marry him. Then we'll probably fight again once he's guaranteed that you'll still love him even if he pisses me off."
"Hey…" Kelsey glared at her. "Who's getting married?!"
"You are," Kia said sweetly, not fazed at all by her friend's murderous stare. "Eventually."
"Okay, that's it!" Kelsey seized her pillow and hurled it at the other girl. She scored a direct hit as it smacked Kia in the face. "Friend or not, you are NOT getting away with that comment!"
In response, the Mirror Holder began to hum the Wedding March as she threw the pillow back.
In the living room, everyone listened to the shrieks, yells, and laughter filtering from the bedroom.
Suzuki sighed. "They call that resting?"
"Leave 'em be." Chuu took a swig from his bottle and belched. "It'll keep Kia from going after us for lockin' Rinku in that closet."
"Hmmm…good point."
"GLOMP HIEI!" Rei yelled from outside. "THE MIDGET NEEDS A HUG, AXE!"
Kurama stood up, looking weary. "Well, then, I'll just be heading home now…"
"Yeah, me too," Kuwabara quickly agreed.
Touya nodded, chuckling when the shouts from the bedroom grew louder.
"I'M NOT MARRYING HIM!"
"That's what they ALL say."
"Here's what I say…your ass is going down!"
"Bring it on! I dealt with Netami's twisted sex slave, I can DEFINITELY deal with you!"
A crash, a thud, and those in the living room shook their heads and sighed in unison. Life was definitely back to normal…well…as normal as it got around there, anyway.
*OOC*
^^ 9 pages…I love it when I'm in a writing mood. Please review, three chapters left. . Aiiiii…anyway, NEXT chapter!!
* Kurama apologizes to Kia for…that Youko stuff. Will she forgive him?
* More visitors…including the old grandma we know and love, and yes…our favorite home boy in teenaged form, Koenma! Watch the girls try to keep a straight face…
* A very special surprise, once Kia tells Kelsey everything that happened in the past. Kelsey, you'll finally learn why I needed Suka's description…