Me and the Penguin Army
Disclaimer: Mesa no own Yu Yu Hakusho
Chapter 23 Russian Roulette and Final Conclusions
I painfully opened my eyes and looked around. V-void river? I asked no one in my head. I heard some giggling noises a few feet upriver from where I was, and I slowly moved my heavy serpentine body to see what was laughing. Then I noticed all my wounds were bandaged. I peered past a bush and saw two large otter-like creatures sliding down the muddy bank of the Void River. When either of them would splash into the water and get the other wet, they both would start laughing. One of them turned their head and I sheepishly slunk back behind the bush. My long silvery body though, was obviously not meant to be hidden well, for the two both waddled over to me. "Lo, elo draggie!" One cried out in a small boy's voice. "Yes, yes, lo, elo." Piped in a little girl's innocent voice coming from the other otter creature.
I stared completely dumbfounded at the two. They neither feared me nor ignored me. Hmm, strange kids. I slowly transformed into my human form and sat down on the bank of the river. "Wow, the draggie be a drake!" The little girl exclaimed as both kids turned into their human forms. "And a mighty pretty one at that!" Chirped the little boy. I almost couldn't stop myself from busting out in laughter. I smiled. "So who do we have here?" I asked. "Me name's Niku, and me sis's name is Aura." I smiled again. "I'm Ixi." The kids smiled at me. "She even has a pretty name sis!" Niku whispered loudly to his sister, which sent them both into a giggling fit. I shook my head trying not to laugh. A faint, yet menacing howling filled the air, and I was snapped from my happy fantasy to cold hard reality.
Kuroi was still out there, I wasn't able to kill him, and Hiei . . . Hiei could be dead, I couldn't be sure. "Miss Ixi, what is it?" I jumped as Aura asked me the question. "Nothing, just something I must take care of. Have fun kids." I said with a wave as I transformed into a winged dragon and took off. "Wow, she can turn into a bunch of draggies! She must be a royal or somethin'!" My long wings beat on either side of me as I made my way to Nigenkai. To kill Kuroi I would need Spook's help; he had exactly what I needed.
I paused a second in the story to climb over a fallen log, and to help Chloe and Rayden over it too. (Remember they're walking through the woods now.) I lifted Rayden over the log and set him next to his sister, but paused before letting go. I could hear tree branches snapping up and down as someone jumped through them, this wasn't what caught my attention, it was the fact there were two different trails of it, each in a different direction, and one was extremely close. Hmm, could he be following us too? Wonder how long he's been around here . . .? I shook my head and let the closer sound fade from my mind. He knows the rules, I just hope he is in a complying mood. Men . . . I shook my head in disbelieve before starting again. "Well a few hours later . . ."
I was standing on the edge of a field. Kuroi was standing in the center facing me. He looked in pretty bad shape, but hey I wasn't one to talk. I pulled out my weapon of choice, a simple pistol. I cocked open the wheel (the place for the bullets that spins around) Kuroi and I were about ten feet away from each other, and he was watching with interest to what I was doing. "You plan to fight me with a bullet-less gun Celeste? Has the loss of blood gone to your head?" I smirked and pulled out a single bullet from my pocket and placed it in a random hole of the wheel. "Are you familiar with the game "Russian Roulette" Kuroi?" I paused, I could tell he was familiar with it, but decided to tell him anyway. "It's a stunt in which a person spins the cylinder or wheel of a revolver loaded with one bullet, aims the muzzle at his head and pulls the trigger. If he's lucky he comes out with a great story and a his life, if he's not so lucky . . . well you get the picture."
I glanced up at Kuroi to make sure he was taking this all in. He had a look on his face that said 'so what's this have to do with us?'. "Well lets play." I said daringly. Kuroi looked shocked at first but recovered and simply glared at me. "Well actually, lets rephrase that shall we? I'm going to play, and you'll watch." I smirked with confidence, but Kuroi looked confused. "I heard human bullets don't effect demons in any serious way, so I upped the betting pool. Straight from a demon hunter's personal stock. Now these babies pack a punch, and I hear its not a pretty sight to see a demon die by its hand. Sounds like fun huh?" Kuroi glared at me confused. "See here's how we'll play the game. I start spinning the wheel of the revolver and when I decide to slam it back into the gun I'll fire." "So why kill yourself? I thought you wanted revenge after I killed your little lover." I smiled wickedly. "You'll soon see how to play the game. Just stand there and watch for now."
I spun the wheel round and round, Kuroi's eyes watching it nervously. The wheel began to slow so I spun it again. "The black wolf demon, longed for the dragon demon with a passion. He destroyed souls and worlds with little remorse, his eyes were blind unless to look at the seductress dragon. But the dragon was just as much to blame as the wolf, for she refused his love, for she knew it wasn't real. He longed for her only because of her beauty. The dragon found one who loved her truly and deeply and she was looking forward to a long happy life with him, but the jealous little wolf couldn't stand to see someone else holding the dragon's heart. He loathed them with a passion, and killed the one the dragon loved, letting her see his final breaths before shattering his soul. Such a sad existence, wouldn't you agree?" I asked as I stopped the wheel.
The bullet was at the opposite end of the wheel, so if I were to fire it I would be unharmed. "Lucky huh?" I asked teasingly. Kuroi glared at me in rage. "Back to the story, seeing her lover destroyed down to his very soul enraged the dragon and deeply scarred her heart . . . so she took her life, not like the stories say, they say the wolf killed the dragon out of spite, but you wouldn't do that, would you? You long for my heart too much to kill me. Lifetime after lifetime came and went for the dragon, each ending in pain and misery due to the wolf. Until the time she was reincarnated as the girl you see before you. And now Kuroi, I will take my shot." I slammed the wheel back into the revolver before it could stop spinning. I placed it to my head. "Oh and Kuroi, one last word of advice . . ." Kuroi glanced at me suspiciously. "What's that?" He asked. "Never gamble with your life without an ace up your sleeve!" In one fluid movement I reached behind me and grabbed a second gun.
Each of the six shots still echo in my memory. Kuroi fell down dead, the bullet's effect already over taking his flesh. Within second he was nothing but dust. I looked sadly down to my first gun. "Well it's over . . . I guess . . ." I put the barrel of the gun to my head and pulled the trigger. I heard a faint click, but not the explosion like noise that came with the firing of a bullet. I pulled the gun from my head and gazed over it. "Guess your just one luck baka onna huh?" I spun around to see Hiei, or was it? Hiei was standing behind me, but the fact that he was see-through told me he was just an illusion. But illusion or no, his face made me feel better, if only a little. "Yes one lucky baka baka (stupid idiot), Hiei, I'm scared now . . . it makes me sound like Kuwabara." The image of Hiei smiled slightly before disappearing. I straightened out my arm and fired the gun into a nearby tree. The resulting splintering wood told me I was a lucky fool indeed.
I smiled and almost fell over laughing. "Well one problem, er two problems solved. Kuroi dead, Void River fixed. Now, the remaining one . . . to see if Hiei still lo- . . ." I cut myself off. No way, I don't have a snowball's chance in hell; he can't still love me . . . can he? I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "No, not a snowball's chance in hell . . ." I transformed into a winged dragon and took off for Void river, there was much to be done there.
A few hours later, the otter kids and me stood at the flowering banks of Void. "I hear-by christen this river Flame River, it shall be known by the name Void no-more. Let it be known!" I cried as I tossed a bouquet of the river's flowers into the crystal waters. "In memory of all that was lost and all that has yet to be gained, let it be known!" I cried again, desperately trying to keep the tears from falling. The kids sensed this saddened me, but they knew to let me deal with it alone. They too tossed flowers into the river, I had found out they were orphans because their parents had been killed earlier. I offered to stay with them and they readily agreed. Staying in my human form, two bat-like wings appeared on my back and I let them take me high into the air.
After a while of flying I landed gently near the cave next to Flame River, we decided we would make it our home, and we already had it very cozy and beautiful. The kids still were out playing, and I paid it no mind, they were free to come and go as they pleased, as was I. I turned into a winged dragon and settled down for the night, even though the sun had yet to set, this day had been hard on me and I needed rest. A few hours later I heard the kids come into the cave. "Careful, mind his arm!" Aura whispered fiercely. "I know, I know, you mind his leg Aura!" Niku exclaimed, yet kept it to a whisper. "Do you think he'll be okay?" Aura asked worried in a whisper as I heard them drag something near me. "If Ixi looks after him yeah, I heard dragons have wicked healing powers!" Explained Niku, yet through all of this they kept it to a whisper. Healing powers? Yeah right . . . how can I have wicked healing powers if I can't heal my own broken heart!?! I exclaimed in my head.
"Ixi-chan, Ixi-chan!" Aura exclaimed as she poked my side. I opened my eyes sleepily and pretended I didn't know what was going on. "What!?! What!?! What's wrong!?!" I exclaimed still in dragon form. "We found him by Flame's banks, he looks really hurt and he was unconscious when we found him! You've gotta help him!" I sighed and turned my head to see who it was. I froze . . . an unconscious Blaze met my eyes. Baka neko, what have you gotten yourself into now? I asked worriedly in my head with a sigh. I turned to my human form and took him from Niku. Blaze's silvery blue eyes fluttered open and looked to me with a dazed expression. "Wha happened to the flying goldfish mommy?" Blaze asked with a slight slur to his voice. I gently tapped him on the head. "Blaze, stop being a baka." I muttered and he snapped into alertness.
"What? Where, where am I? Ixi? Where did Jynx go?" I put a hand over his mouth and he stopped asking questions. "Just relax neko, who is Jynx?" I removed my hand so he could answer. "Jynx is my little sister, I got her away from Kuroi, but we got separated." I started healing some of his major wounds while listening to his account of trying to rescue his sister. He was surprised when I told him Kuroi was dead.
I stopped in the middle of the path, reaching our destination. "Auntie Ixi, what happened next?" Chloe asked as she looked up to the trees. I sighed deeply, with a hidden pang of sadness. "That part of the story is still being written, you will have to wait to find out." I said as I glanced up to the trees too. "Until then though, there is someone I want you to met, although I'm sure you'll recognize him in an instant. Stop hiding in the trees neko!" I called into a tree behind me and Blaze jumped from the trees smiling. "Daddy!?!" Rayden and Chloe exclaimed as they ran to their demonized father. "Yep, you didn't recognize me from the story?" Blaze asked through laughter. "Hey does this make us demons too?" Rayden asked watching his dad's tail and ears twitch. "Yep, full blooded nekos." Blaze said with a smile as he hugged his kids. "Thanks ryuu, I'll take them home from here." I nodded and started to walk off as Blaze got pelted with questions from his kids.
After a short jaunt I leaned against a tree and closed my eyes, sighing. "You know that's not exactly how the story happened Ixi." I smiled bittersweet-ly. "I know, but there are some parts, even I do not believe." I said without opening my eyes. "Just don't forget the rules Hiei." I whispered sadly and I heard a familiar Hn from above me. "Damn the rules Ixi!" Hiei exclaimed angrily. (Don't worry you'll find out about this in a little bit.) I sighed again, trying not to let the tears fall from my eyes as I remembered that day.
-Flashback-
It wasn't too soon after I got Blaze back on his feet. He had hinted that a shadow was darting around Makai in search of something, and I knew it was Hiei. I had made up my mind to go and talk to him, to see how he was, and to see if it was still possible between us. I got a lead on his whereabouts and had taken off in that direction, running the entire way because it was only a short ways away from where I was. Unfortunately I was sidetracked. A strange snake appeared in my path, and before I could react it launched itself at me. It hit me in-between the eyes and I blacked out. A little while later Hiei had found me and was attempting to wake me up. I almost wish I had never awoken, for the very second I laid eyes on Hiei my whole body filled with pain and my eyes bled. Hiei had the same reaction as myself. It was the same way with the entire gang. I couldn't even lay eyes on Kuwabara (even though I didn't really want to). Koenma later found out I had been cursed by the snake. Unfortunately the cure for the curse was unknown.
-End Flashback-
I sighed again as tears streamed down my face, it had been five years, but it still hurt like it was yesterday. "Koenma said he may have another lead on how to break the curse. He's not sure, but it looks promising. Don't give up hope just yet." I nodded, even though I knew Hiei didn't see it. He and the gang were affected as well by the curse. So caught up in my thoughts I jumped as Hiei tossed down a folder. "If you have the urge to hunt down someone there are a few cases there for you to do. The nekos said you were getting bored." I smiled weakly and picked up the folder, leafing through it. Blaze, Aunna and Jynx (Blaze's little sister) worked for Koenma, so I was always in touch with the Reikai Tantei, I just couldn't see them, but meetings like the one I was currently having with Hiei were allowed.
"Oh and by the way, there is a surprise back at your garden." And with that Hiei was gone, his presence no longer around me. Another penguin statue I bet. I smiled and headed back to my house. But not before looking at the base of the tree. There were five black gems. I tenderly picked the up. They are getting fewer each time; maybe he's finally starting to give up hope. He should have a while ago. He is suffering because of me. He should give up on me and find someone else's heart to call his own . . . I trailed off from my thoughts and let the black gems fall into the jar I was keeping them in. I had many, though lately the numbers that fell were fewer. I sighed again and looked out to my garden as I opened the sliding glass door and walked out to the deck. The roses were in bloom now. Their sweet sent filled the air and my eyes glanced over the garden to see a new statue near the roses. It was one of the penguins from the Field of Frozen Time, or at least that's what we decided to call the field with the glassified penguin army.
I had several throughout my garden and home. Each molded into a different position. The newest had an old fashioned metal watering can in one flipper-like-wing and looked like it was watering the roses. Every so often Hiei would bring one that him and Kurama would make. The most elaborate was the fountain in the middle of the garden. "Is it possible? Is this lead gunna bring back results?" I asked myself, almost too scared to say it. No, we've tried so much, and nothing had worked . . . So what do we do now? I suppose I could forget . . . just let it all fade to darkness, but it's too late, isn't it? I sat down on the edge of the porch and let my feet dangle off the side. I was in a world without hope, unable to fade to black nothingness and incapable to break free. But Hiei's hope gave me some, but would it be enough? I had no way to tell, but as I said, this part of the story was still being written, and the final outcome could surprise me, I just had to see it to the end.
The End, or is it?
PLEASE READ THIS!!
Ixi: Yes well to answer that question it's the end of this story, but the beginning of a new one. In a little while I'll be coming out with a short sequel that has Ixi and Hiei breaking the curse. If you have any questions regarding the story leave it in your review, and I'll have an extra update to answer it or I might just answer them in the beginning of the Sequel. But now I must figure out a tittle for the Sequel, if you have any suggestions please put them in a review. Until then Ja ne!
Review responses below
To melody89: Thanks, and I really don't care if you spell stuff wrong, heck if I didn't have spell check you might not be able to understand what I write lol
To Miny Mars: I know they were sad, probably the saddest stuff I've ever written. Yes the story is done with now, but there is still a sequel. I wish it could never end –cries- but I want you to update your story soon. Pease?