Authoress here.
Did I ever mention how much I love the Saliva song, "Rest in Pieces?" Well, I do.
For the information on techniques and fighting moves/styles I found I'd like to thank Google! I love you Google, and its makers, Larry Page and Sergey Brin!
(And thanks, Wired Magazine for that information. Did I ever mention I love Wired? Well, I do. If you be a geek who likes computers, weird present-day articles, and awesome gadgets like me, check it out.)
Yujo Chronicles: Narrin's Story
Chapter Four
The guard stared at Aya suspiciously. "Where did you say you got these?" The man asked in French.
Aya adjusted his glasses calmly. "The agency for National Student Educational Trips and Opportunities."
The guard eyed him for a moment longer. "If this is a real agency, and these are real, then I can call and confirm?"
"Yes, sir."
The gaurd glanced at the tickets, reading the little number at the bottom. He picked up a black corded telephone inside the gatehouse booth, and dialed.
Aya and the five "students" leaned forewords expectantly. The phone rang twice, before Koenma's squeaky voice sounded over the phone, speaking in French, heavily accented.
"What- I mean, thank you for calling NSETO! This is Koe..nami....how can I help you?"
"Just calling to verify ticket numbers 023486 through 023492."
"Er....verified." Koenma was trying hard to sound dignified and failing, his toddler voice high and most defiantly young-sounding.
"Confirmed. Thank you." The guard hung up, and took the tickets. "I guess then you have full access, though I do not remember ever seeing this before."
As Aya took the yellow wristbands from the guard, he spoke quietly in Japanese to Yusuke. "Pass these around and tell the others to put them on. We're just barely making it through."
"Check, Teach." Yusuke murmured. He took the wristbands and handed them out.
Aya strode purposefully to the doors after the guard opened up the security gate. A pair of footmen opened them for the little group. Once they had all passed inside, Aya took out the special map Koenma had given him, memorizing the path to what was labeled the "Conference Hall."
"Come on. It's upstairs."
Emiko and Kurama exchanged glances, and eyes connecting, they both nodded. Kurama hurried to walk next to Aya.
"It would look much more realistic if you were talking, as though we were on tour. Speak in French; we're supposed to be literate. Try to not slip into Japanese, that would give us away."
Aya gave the barest of nods, and began talking in French. "Class, the importance of having a well based embassy in different countries is vital to the survival of peace. Note the very German design with a subtle hint of French underlining it. This is a classic example of how an embassy works.."
He continued talking, saying about whatever came into his head. Kuwabara had a very confused look on his face, Hiei was impassive. Yusuke's expression was slightly interested. Emiko and Kurama were hastily scribbling on pads of paper, making it look like they were taking notes.
Once in the elevator, Aya stopped his ceaseless chattering and turned to the others. "Alright. You all must pretend you understand what I'm saying. Kurama, Emiko, good. Kuwabara, try to look a little less like you don't know where you are, Yusuke, Hiei, try to look like you care about what I'm saying."
He blew out held-in air, trying to relax. "Also, if we have to get violent, try not to reveal...your...demonic powers, okay?"
"Sure." Yusuke shrugged. Hiei narrowed his eyes.
"I'll be using this, no matter what you say." Hiei said coldly. Flipping back the tail on his button-up shirt, he revealed the hilt of his katana.
"Go ahead." Aya said. "I'll be using one as well." He patted his knapsack. "I was rather surprised the first guard didn't request us to reveal the contents of our bags."
"No." Emiko cut in smoothly. "I "dropped" my pencil right before he let us in."
"So?" Aya said, confused.
"So?" Emiko snorted. "This is the shortest skirt I've ever worn. He probably got a view that knocked that idea out of his head."
Kurama gave his mate a quick kiss on the cheek. "There's my vixen."
The elevator gave a gentle ding! signifying they had reached their destination. A cool female voice spoke in German, then French. "Fourth floor; Conference Hall."
The moment the doors opened all six were securely in their roles, all holding pads of paper and pens, scribbling nonsense onto the paper.
A guard started to stop them, but noticed their yellow all-pass wristbands. He called softly to Aya. "A conference is happening between the new Queen of France and the German ambassador."
"Wonderful!" Aya exclaimed, raising his deep voice up a pitch, sounding much more teacher-like. "May we sit in? What a wonderful experience that would be for my students!"
The man frowned. "I doubt it much, sir, but I shall inquire. One moment."
He slipped inside the next set of richly carved doors, leaving the little group waiting nervously in the small room between the elevator and the Conference hall.
On the opposite side of the doors, Narrin sat prettily, sipping tea. The German ambassador was describing Germany to her in great detail, as she had requested. She pursed her lips. If her plan went unhindered, as she knew it would, Germany would sign the document giving themselves to her empire.
A guard entered, bowing. "Milady, a small school group from Japan requests humbly to be allowed a brief sit in with your and his Lordship's conference."
Narrin smiled. Japan had come as well, in the form of students? What would be more perfect than to hear the language now and store it for when she set her sights on the country later?
"I see no harm in that. Allow them in."
The guard flushed, embarrassed and ridiculously pleased Narrin had spoken directly to him. He bowed his way back through the doors.
"Her Majesty Narrin, Queen of France, bids you enter."
Aya nodded, and motioned to his "students" to follow the guard and he inside.
The first glance at the Queen was always something a person would never easily forget. The sharp blue gaze, the perfect face, the swell of shapely lips. The mere power radiating from her was enough to make any man adore her, and any woman jealous. Emiko couldn't help herself from shifting around uncomfortably as the Queens icy stare swept over Kurama.
"Welcome." The ambassador greeted them in clumsy French. "Please sit."
Aya motioned for them all to sit down on the plush-cushioned chairs at the far end of the table, the closest to the door.
"Thank you, Milord, Your Majesty." Aya got up briefly from his seat to bow. "I am ..Ran Ariagi, and these are my honor students."
Then, Narrin spoke. "Monsieur Ariagi, how wonderful it is to meet you all."
Aya froze, letting the smooth as silk voice coat his body in numb ecstasy. Her voice sounded as if she had coated it with honey and oils, making it sweet and flowing. All other thoughts were banished from his head when her voice sounded.
When she stopped speaking, he gathered his wits again. He was not as completely under her spell as the others were, being stronger in both mind and body, but it was terrible to resist succumbing to the want to dote upon her, fill out her every command.
Remember Aya, your sister. She needs you to finish this.
He bowed again, and quickly sat down. Narrin smiled in satisfaction, and prompted in his tongue the German ambassador to continue.
Yusuke hastily scribbled a note to Aya and casually pushed the pad over to the man. Aya glanced at it, not moving his face.
'What the hell? You got all stiff when she spoke.'
Aya moved his shoulders in the tiniest of shrugs. What Yusuke said is true. I could hardly control myself. But she's speaking now, in German, and I'm unaffected. How?
His thoughts were interrupted as the German ambassador stood abruptly. He spoke in rapid fire German to Narrin before quickly exiting the room. He stuck his head back in briefly, speaking in French now. "Excuse me, visitors, but I must excuse myself for awhile. Something has been brought to my... attention, and I must..go." The reason why he had his legs pinched together was left open for interpretation.
Yusuke, Kurama and Hiei exchanged glances, and nodded. Narrin didn't notice, but started to speak in French again.
"So, guests-"
Her words had hardly gotten out when Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Emiko, and Hiei leapt up, throwing their chairs to the floor and hurtling towards the Queen. As expected, guards rushed in to block their passage. Six men were reaching for their holsters, getting ready to shoot. They all hesitated, however. Each was battling the moral guilt of shooting at unarmed kids. Their hesitation only gave their opponents a huge advantage.
To see Spirit Aware people fight is really like looking at a beautiful painting, in a way. Just like a brushstroke, each move is solid, deliberate, and well-thought out. And like a total picture, fighting altogether works well together.
Yusuke and Kuwabara advanced first, fists barred. Yelling a wordless battle cry, they launched themselves on the two nearest guards. Street fighting combined with intricate kicks made up their movements.
Kuwabara sent his first man sprawling with three rapid-fire punches to the lower chest and upper abdominal area.
Yusuke dodged his own opponent's gun-holding hand and performed an axe kick. An axe kick was a risky move for those without the speed of Spirit training, having to raise the leg as high as possible before ramming it down hard onto your opponent. For Yusuke, it proved very effective. The guard stumbled back.
Yusuke raised his fist, and slammed it into the man's shoulder. Before the man could retaliate, Yusuke's foot had shot out in a side kick. The guard slammed against the wall with the force of Yusuke's kick, unconscious.
Kurama, Emiko and Hiei weren't far behind. Hiei's mastery of kenjutsu, the art of the sword, proved useful. He whipped out his katana and dealt his first opposer two hard diagonal smacks with the flat of his blade, making the guard crumple. Within seconds, the same move downed a second man.
Emiko's style of fighting was loosely based off of Kurama's, since she had first learned to fight from Yoko. But if it had to be categorized, it would fall under Aikido. Using both "soft and hard" moves, it was perfectly suited to Emiko. Soft meaning throws, escapes, locks, pins, and dodges, perfect for a wily vixen demon. And hard meaning punches, chops, and kicks for going on the offensive.
A guard ran at Emiko, after replacing his gun in his holster. Emiko put herself over her center of balance, bracing herself for the impact. Doing this would make Emiko seem rubber-like, forcing her opponent's own energy back at him. The theory was effective.
As he collided with her, Emiko let his force shudder through her, bending her knees and absorbing the attack. Then, she grappled him away, hitting his right shoulder's pressure point. Using his own force now stored in her frame, she let fly her elbow into his side, sending him flying.
Kurama's movements were similar to Emiko's, though there was a difference. The guard that ran at him managed to get in only one hit, just as Kurama allowed. He had let the man hit him, and while suffering the attack he also analyzed it, finding the man's weakness. From the slight twist in the man's forearm while delivering the blow, Kurama knew the man's back was his most tender point.
Before the man drew his fist away, Kurama had it in both hands. Ducking under the man's arm, Kurama twisted it behind the man and brought it out straight back. Pushing him foreword and out of balance, Kurama rapped expertly on the man's spine with only enough force to send him sprawling, knocked out cold.
That left only Narrin. Having not heard them speak a word of Japanese, she had no power over the five with her voice. Her only weapons were controlling Aya's desires- and the silver, sleek gun she grew from her dress.
Only two days prior to her meeting at the embassy Narrin had gone exploring the grounds of the castle. Across a long, green stretch of perfectly cared for grass, there was a low stone building. She entered it, and to her delight found herself completely surrounded by weapons of all sorts. Some she recognized; and a lot she didn't.
Picking a sword off its hooks on the wall, Narrin tested its weight in her hands. The blade was beautifully made; it was a light fencing foil, with silver laid into the grip and a small safety rubber tip.
Narrin swung it around experimentally. The wind whistled around it, and she replaced it on the wall, not overly impressed.
She had then come to a strange, small, heavy silver object. She had picked it up and was examining it when a voice made her turn.
"Do you fancy the .44 Colt, Milady?" It was only Raoul, the man introduced as the garden master. Apparently this house of weaponry was under his command as well.
"Teach me to wield it." It was unlike any horse she had ever seen. But, Narrin soon figured out it was no horse.
"Of course, Milady. I am respectfully a good shot with a gun. I shall teach you all I know. Accompany me to the firing range."
The range was as well manicured as the rest of the castle. Connected to the weaponry house, it was soundproof and efficient. Raoul set up the target for her, and explained how to make the gun shoot a piece of lead out of its mouth.
"Now, cock the gun by pulling that back...that's it! Now, when you press this, the trigger, the bullet will hit whatever you point it at. Don't expect to hit the target your first tr-"
The gun went off, causing Narrin to jump with surprise and the man to gaze at the target in awe. The bullet had gone exactly through the center.
"You, Your Majesty, have one good eye for shooting!" Raoul bowed respectfully.
She had practiced all the rest of the day, expert Raoul coaching her. Beginner's luck wasn't the case; she had to learn a lot before she could hit the target dead on more than once in a row.
But now Narrin had it mastered. Pointing the silver tool of death at Hiei she took careful but speedy aim. Hiei was closest, and whom she deemed the most dangerous having taken on two men double his size.
The gun released the bullet in a spasm of fire and smoke, heading surely towards the fire demon. Remembering not to use his demonic abilities, Hiei relied on his kenjutsu.
Measuring the angle at which the bullet came towards in in split seconds, Hiei brought up his katana. the bullet his the metal, but Hiei had measured the angle perfectly. The bullet slid along the metal, and careened away from Hiei and safely into a wall.
"Ran Ariagi! Follow me!" Narrin shouted in French, filling her voice with all the power he could muster.
Not even Aya with his steadfast strength could resist under the full blast of power Narrin sent him. He followed like an obedient puppy.
The five others began to follow, wisely keeping silent, all having guessed Narrin's main power. But she wasn't going to let them take Aya from her now that he was under her spell. She turned and shot three bullets in quick succession. Emiko saw the puff of smoke, and without even pausing to think, flipped up and backwards, narrowly avoiding the bullet.
The second raced towards Kuwabara. Not being as agile as Emiko, he was forced to send a small flare of his yellow Spirit Energy up to dissipate the bullet before it hit him. The flare died down quickly, and Narrin didn't seem to notice.
The last hurtled towards Yusuke, who dived under the table. He heard the bullet rip into the wood above his head and winced as showers of sawdust trickled down. It had been a near miss.
Narrin sent a final bullet back into the room before slamming the doors shut. It wasn't aimed at the five angry teens, but at the chandelier. The bullet connected with the masterpiece of glass and light bulbs, sending it down in a shattering spray of sharp edges.
They all ducked, Kuwabara joining Yusuke in a mad dive under the table. The time spent scurrying away from glass shards was enough for Narrin?s escape. Even as the five ran towards the doors, they heard the elevator trundle back up to the fourth floor.
"If the elevator is back already..." Emiko gasped. Her cheek had been cut slightly by the falling shards.
"Then that means the Queen and Aya have already gotten downstairs-" Yusuke continued grimly.
"And away." Kurama finished, looking outside the window. The Queen was stepping into the carriage, motioning for a still spellbound Aya to follow. He did, and the horses drew away. "She knows we won't fight in the middle of a crowd."
"But she'll take him to the palace." Emiko said matter of factly. "Even though she knows we'll know she went there, it's her strongest spot. Plenty of guards, and home field advantage."
"But no matter what she does," Hiei said, "she still has Aya."
End Chapter
Authoress here.
Action packed I promised. Was that action packed enough?
Tell me!
Review!
I know, I hardly waited a day to post these last two chapters. BUT I'M SO EXCITED!! Can you blame me? I typed so hard my wrists hurt a little...O.o
Did I ever mention how much I love the Saliva song, "Rest in Pieces?" Well, I do.
For the information on techniques and fighting moves/styles I found I'd like to thank Google! I love you Google, and its makers, Larry Page and Sergey Brin!
(And thanks, Wired Magazine for that information. Did I ever mention I love Wired? Well, I do. If you be a geek who likes computers, weird present-day articles, and awesome gadgets like me, check it out.)
Yujo Chronicles: Narrin's Story
Chapter Four
The guard stared at Aya suspiciously. "Where did you say you got these?" The man asked in French.
Aya adjusted his glasses calmly. "The agency for National Student Educational Trips and Opportunities."
The guard eyed him for a moment longer. "If this is a real agency, and these are real, then I can call and confirm?"
"Yes, sir."
The gaurd glanced at the tickets, reading the little number at the bottom. He picked up a black corded telephone inside the gatehouse booth, and dialed.
Aya and the five "students" leaned forewords expectantly. The phone rang twice, before Koenma's squeaky voice sounded over the phone, speaking in French, heavily accented.
"What- I mean, thank you for calling NSETO! This is Koe..nami....how can I help you?"
"Just calling to verify ticket numbers 023486 through 023492."
"Er....verified." Koenma was trying hard to sound dignified and failing, his toddler voice high and most defiantly young-sounding.
"Confirmed. Thank you." The guard hung up, and took the tickets. "I guess then you have full access, though I do not remember ever seeing this before."
As Aya took the yellow wristbands from the guard, he spoke quietly in Japanese to Yusuke. "Pass these around and tell the others to put them on. We're just barely making it through."
"Check, Teach." Yusuke murmured. He took the wristbands and handed them out.
Aya strode purposefully to the doors after the guard opened up the security gate. A pair of footmen opened them for the little group. Once they had all passed inside, Aya took out the special map Koenma had given him, memorizing the path to what was labeled the "Conference Hall."
"Come on. It's upstairs."
Emiko and Kurama exchanged glances, and eyes connecting, they both nodded. Kurama hurried to walk next to Aya.
"It would look much more realistic if you were talking, as though we were on tour. Speak in French; we're supposed to be literate. Try to not slip into Japanese, that would give us away."
Aya gave the barest of nods, and began talking in French. "Class, the importance of having a well based embassy in different countries is vital to the survival of peace. Note the very German design with a subtle hint of French underlining it. This is a classic example of how an embassy works.."
He continued talking, saying about whatever came into his head. Kuwabara had a very confused look on his face, Hiei was impassive. Yusuke's expression was slightly interested. Emiko and Kurama were hastily scribbling on pads of paper, making it look like they were taking notes.
Once in the elevator, Aya stopped his ceaseless chattering and turned to the others. "Alright. You all must pretend you understand what I'm saying. Kurama, Emiko, good. Kuwabara, try to look a little less like you don't know where you are, Yusuke, Hiei, try to look like you care about what I'm saying."
He blew out held-in air, trying to relax. "Also, if we have to get violent, try not to reveal...your...demonic powers, okay?"
"Sure." Yusuke shrugged. Hiei narrowed his eyes.
"I'll be using this, no matter what you say." Hiei said coldly. Flipping back the tail on his button-up shirt, he revealed the hilt of his katana.
"Go ahead." Aya said. "I'll be using one as well." He patted his knapsack. "I was rather surprised the first guard didn't request us to reveal the contents of our bags."
"No." Emiko cut in smoothly. "I "dropped" my pencil right before he let us in."
"So?" Aya said, confused.
"So?" Emiko snorted. "This is the shortest skirt I've ever worn. He probably got a view that knocked that idea out of his head."
Kurama gave his mate a quick kiss on the cheek. "There's my vixen."
The elevator gave a gentle ding! signifying they had reached their destination. A cool female voice spoke in German, then French. "Fourth floor; Conference Hall."
The moment the doors opened all six were securely in their roles, all holding pads of paper and pens, scribbling nonsense onto the paper.
A guard started to stop them, but noticed their yellow all-pass wristbands. He called softly to Aya. "A conference is happening between the new Queen of France and the German ambassador."
"Wonderful!" Aya exclaimed, raising his deep voice up a pitch, sounding much more teacher-like. "May we sit in? What a wonderful experience that would be for my students!"
The man frowned. "I doubt it much, sir, but I shall inquire. One moment."
He slipped inside the next set of richly carved doors, leaving the little group waiting nervously in the small room between the elevator and the Conference hall.
On the opposite side of the doors, Narrin sat prettily, sipping tea. The German ambassador was describing Germany to her in great detail, as she had requested. She pursed her lips. If her plan went unhindered, as she knew it would, Germany would sign the document giving themselves to her empire.
A guard entered, bowing. "Milady, a small school group from Japan requests humbly to be allowed a brief sit in with your and his Lordship's conference."
Narrin smiled. Japan had come as well, in the form of students? What would be more perfect than to hear the language now and store it for when she set her sights on the country later?
"I see no harm in that. Allow them in."
The guard flushed, embarrassed and ridiculously pleased Narrin had spoken directly to him. He bowed his way back through the doors.
"Her Majesty Narrin, Queen of France, bids you enter."
Aya nodded, and motioned to his "students" to follow the guard and he inside.
The first glance at the Queen was always something a person would never easily forget. The sharp blue gaze, the perfect face, the swell of shapely lips. The mere power radiating from her was enough to make any man adore her, and any woman jealous. Emiko couldn't help herself from shifting around uncomfortably as the Queens icy stare swept over Kurama.
"Welcome." The ambassador greeted them in clumsy French. "Please sit."
Aya motioned for them all to sit down on the plush-cushioned chairs at the far end of the table, the closest to the door.
"Thank you, Milord, Your Majesty." Aya got up briefly from his seat to bow. "I am ..Ran Ariagi, and these are my honor students."
Then, Narrin spoke. "Monsieur Ariagi, how wonderful it is to meet you all."
Aya froze, letting the smooth as silk voice coat his body in numb ecstasy. Her voice sounded as if she had coated it with honey and oils, making it sweet and flowing. All other thoughts were banished from his head when her voice sounded.
When she stopped speaking, he gathered his wits again. He was not as completely under her spell as the others were, being stronger in both mind and body, but it was terrible to resist succumbing to the want to dote upon her, fill out her every command.
Remember Aya, your sister. She needs you to finish this.
He bowed again, and quickly sat down. Narrin smiled in satisfaction, and prompted in his tongue the German ambassador to continue.
Yusuke hastily scribbled a note to Aya and casually pushed the pad over to the man. Aya glanced at it, not moving his face.
'What the hell? You got all stiff when she spoke.'
Aya moved his shoulders in the tiniest of shrugs. What Yusuke said is true. I could hardly control myself. But she's speaking now, in German, and I'm unaffected. How?
His thoughts were interrupted as the German ambassador stood abruptly. He spoke in rapid fire German to Narrin before quickly exiting the room. He stuck his head back in briefly, speaking in French now. "Excuse me, visitors, but I must excuse myself for awhile. Something has been brought to my... attention, and I must..go." The reason why he had his legs pinched together was left open for interpretation.
Yusuke, Kurama and Hiei exchanged glances, and nodded. Narrin didn't notice, but started to speak in French again.
"So, guests-"
Her words had hardly gotten out when Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Emiko, and Hiei leapt up, throwing their chairs to the floor and hurtling towards the Queen. As expected, guards rushed in to block their passage. Six men were reaching for their holsters, getting ready to shoot. They all hesitated, however. Each was battling the moral guilt of shooting at unarmed kids. Their hesitation only gave their opponents a huge advantage.
To see Spirit Aware people fight is really like looking at a beautiful painting, in a way. Just like a brushstroke, each move is solid, deliberate, and well-thought out. And like a total picture, fighting altogether works well together.
Yusuke and Kuwabara advanced first, fists barred. Yelling a wordless battle cry, they launched themselves on the two nearest guards. Street fighting combined with intricate kicks made up their movements.
Kuwabara sent his first man sprawling with three rapid-fire punches to the lower chest and upper abdominal area.
Yusuke dodged his own opponent's gun-holding hand and performed an axe kick. An axe kick was a risky move for those without the speed of Spirit training, having to raise the leg as high as possible before ramming it down hard onto your opponent. For Yusuke, it proved very effective. The guard stumbled back.
Yusuke raised his fist, and slammed it into the man's shoulder. Before the man could retaliate, Yusuke's foot had shot out in a side kick. The guard slammed against the wall with the force of Yusuke's kick, unconscious.
Kurama, Emiko and Hiei weren't far behind. Hiei's mastery of kenjutsu, the art of the sword, proved useful. He whipped out his katana and dealt his first opposer two hard diagonal smacks with the flat of his blade, making the guard crumple. Within seconds, the same move downed a second man.
Emiko's style of fighting was loosely based off of Kurama's, since she had first learned to fight from Yoko. But if it had to be categorized, it would fall under Aikido. Using both "soft and hard" moves, it was perfectly suited to Emiko. Soft meaning throws, escapes, locks, pins, and dodges, perfect for a wily vixen demon. And hard meaning punches, chops, and kicks for going on the offensive.
A guard ran at Emiko, after replacing his gun in his holster. Emiko put herself over her center of balance, bracing herself for the impact. Doing this would make Emiko seem rubber-like, forcing her opponent's own energy back at him. The theory was effective.
As he collided with her, Emiko let his force shudder through her, bending her knees and absorbing the attack. Then, she grappled him away, hitting his right shoulder's pressure point. Using his own force now stored in her frame, she let fly her elbow into his side, sending him flying.
Kurama's movements were similar to Emiko's, though there was a difference. The guard that ran at him managed to get in only one hit, just as Kurama allowed. He had let the man hit him, and while suffering the attack he also analyzed it, finding the man's weakness. From the slight twist in the man's forearm while delivering the blow, Kurama knew the man's back was his most tender point.
Before the man drew his fist away, Kurama had it in both hands. Ducking under the man's arm, Kurama twisted it behind the man and brought it out straight back. Pushing him foreword and out of balance, Kurama rapped expertly on the man's spine with only enough force to send him sprawling, knocked out cold.
That left only Narrin. Having not heard them speak a word of Japanese, she had no power over the five with her voice. Her only weapons were controlling Aya's desires- and the silver, sleek gun she grew from her dress.
Only two days prior to her meeting at the embassy Narrin had gone exploring the grounds of the castle. Across a long, green stretch of perfectly cared for grass, there was a low stone building. She entered it, and to her delight found herself completely surrounded by weapons of all sorts. Some she recognized; and a lot she didn't.
Picking a sword off its hooks on the wall, Narrin tested its weight in her hands. The blade was beautifully made; it was a light fencing foil, with silver laid into the grip and a small safety rubber tip.
Narrin swung it around experimentally. The wind whistled around it, and she replaced it on the wall, not overly impressed.
She had then come to a strange, small, heavy silver object. She had picked it up and was examining it when a voice made her turn.
"Do you fancy the .44 Colt, Milady?" It was only Raoul, the man introduced as the garden master. Apparently this house of weaponry was under his command as well.
"Teach me to wield it." It was unlike any horse she had ever seen. But, Narrin soon figured out it was no horse.
"Of course, Milady. I am respectfully a good shot with a gun. I shall teach you all I know. Accompany me to the firing range."
The range was as well manicured as the rest of the castle. Connected to the weaponry house, it was soundproof and efficient. Raoul set up the target for her, and explained how to make the gun shoot a piece of lead out of its mouth.
"Now, cock the gun by pulling that back...that's it! Now, when you press this, the trigger, the bullet will hit whatever you point it at. Don't expect to hit the target your first tr-"
The gun went off, causing Narrin to jump with surprise and the man to gaze at the target in awe. The bullet had gone exactly through the center.
"You, Your Majesty, have one good eye for shooting!" Raoul bowed respectfully.
She had practiced all the rest of the day, expert Raoul coaching her. Beginner's luck wasn't the case; she had to learn a lot before she could hit the target dead on more than once in a row.
But now Narrin had it mastered. Pointing the silver tool of death at Hiei she took careful but speedy aim. Hiei was closest, and whom she deemed the most dangerous having taken on two men double his size.
The gun released the bullet in a spasm of fire and smoke, heading surely towards the fire demon. Remembering not to use his demonic abilities, Hiei relied on his kenjutsu.
Measuring the angle at which the bullet came towards in in split seconds, Hiei brought up his katana. the bullet his the metal, but Hiei had measured the angle perfectly. The bullet slid along the metal, and careened away from Hiei and safely into a wall.
"Ran Ariagi! Follow me!" Narrin shouted in French, filling her voice with all the power he could muster.
Not even Aya with his steadfast strength could resist under the full blast of power Narrin sent him. He followed like an obedient puppy.
The five others began to follow, wisely keeping silent, all having guessed Narrin's main power. But she wasn't going to let them take Aya from her now that he was under her spell. She turned and shot three bullets in quick succession. Emiko saw the puff of smoke, and without even pausing to think, flipped up and backwards, narrowly avoiding the bullet.
The second raced towards Kuwabara. Not being as agile as Emiko, he was forced to send a small flare of his yellow Spirit Energy up to dissipate the bullet before it hit him. The flare died down quickly, and Narrin didn't seem to notice.
The last hurtled towards Yusuke, who dived under the table. He heard the bullet rip into the wood above his head and winced as showers of sawdust trickled down. It had been a near miss.
Narrin sent a final bullet back into the room before slamming the doors shut. It wasn't aimed at the five angry teens, but at the chandelier. The bullet connected with the masterpiece of glass and light bulbs, sending it down in a shattering spray of sharp edges.
They all ducked, Kuwabara joining Yusuke in a mad dive under the table. The time spent scurrying away from glass shards was enough for Narrin?s escape. Even as the five ran towards the doors, they heard the elevator trundle back up to the fourth floor.
"If the elevator is back already..." Emiko gasped. Her cheek had been cut slightly by the falling shards.
"Then that means the Queen and Aya have already gotten downstairs-" Yusuke continued grimly.
"And away." Kurama finished, looking outside the window. The Queen was stepping into the carriage, motioning for a still spellbound Aya to follow. He did, and the horses drew away. "She knows we won't fight in the middle of a crowd."
"But she'll take him to the palace." Emiko said matter of factly. "Even though she knows we'll know she went there, it's her strongest spot. Plenty of guards, and home field advantage."
"But no matter what she does," Hiei said, "she still has Aya."
End Chapter
Authoress here.
Action packed I promised. Was that action packed enough?
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I know, I hardly waited a day to post these last two chapters. BUT I'M SO EXCITED!! Can you blame me? I typed so hard my wrists hurt a little...O.o