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AN: I am very much honored by everyone's reviews. I am even more honored by those who have placed my work or myself on their favorites lists. Thank you so much!
And this chapter is dedicated to the first four reviewers: Roses-sensei, Anime-sensei, Chibi-san, and Miyako-sensei.
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Through the Looking Glass-
Chapter 2: Other Side I"Ugh, where are we?" Kazuma wondered groggily as he looked about. Tall golden grasses interrupted his line of vision, not to mention tickled his face, especially his nose. However, through the wispy plant life, the human noticed Yukina lying unconscious not to far off. Fear bubbled within him. "Yukina-san! Yukina-san, are you all--"
"Are you all right?" Hiei, who abruptly appeared by Yukina, questioned gently as he placed the frail ice maiden in his lap. With surprisingly tender hands, the fire demon brushed away stray sea-foam strands from the maiden's serene visage. It was only a matter of minutes before the young woman awoke and sheepishly gazed at her contemporary caretaker. Kazuma fumed, wishing desperately to be in Hiei's present position.
"Oh, Hiei-san, are you all right? I'm all right," Yukina assured with a small smile as she shakily rose to her feet. Her twin brother stood closely behind her, ready to catch her in case she fell. "You don't need to worry about me. I'm just a little dizzy. Where are we, Hiei-san?"
"I'm not sure," Hiei muttered dismally, sighing in relief for Yukina. "But we're definitely in another dimension, so we have to be very careful. Stay close to me, Yukina, and everything will be all right." A small smirk lit Hiei's lips when he sensed Kazuma's growing jealously.
'Be jealous because you're not getting near her, vegetable.'
Observing the grassland they were currently in, the little lady remarked quietly, "It was as if we were still in the Human World or possibly some untouched region of the Demon World. The aura in the atmosphere is not so different than that of the two Worlds."
Still unsure and quite uneasy with the entire situation, Hiei responded, "Maybe, but we have no idea what lies beyond this place. For all we know, creatures beyond our power wait to slaughter us. And what makes things worse is that we are no longer in our dimension, so whatever we do or decide it must be made with utmost care and consideration. Is that understood?"
Before the other two members could answer, a foreboding feeling suddenly surrounded the three and around the field they presided. Kazuma's orange hair stood on end as evil sensations crawled all over his prickly skin; Hiei and Yukina shuddered at the masses of demonic auras surrounding them.
"Do you sense that, Hiei?" the human teenager whispered as he gazed neurotically around their surroundings. "Something evil is out there."
"Stop running your mouth and start using your eyes, idiot," Hiei barked quietly, his Jagan glowing and frantically searching about. The katana at his waist was sliding out its sheath deathly slow.
Right then, a hoard of demons swiftly charged from the wood around the field. "Kill them!" the apparitions screamed as they ran towards the two Spirit Detectives and ice maiden. With just as much speed, Kazuma summoned his Spirit Sword while Hiei's katana glinted in the diluted sunlight. Yukina held her breath in anticipation, feeling uneasy but excited to what was soon to happen. About twenty-five victims for each swordsman, Hiei and Kazuma speedily sliced through the menacing foes before any could reach fifteen feet of their ice apparition.
Once the monsters were dead (either headless or sliced in two) and the smell of blood thickened the air, a thundering of hooves rumbled through the forest. The trio grew alert once more, fearing another attack. In a moment of minutes, an armor-clad samurai with following soldiers galloped into the field on top of gallant stallions; and there was no doubt the warriors were human.
One particular human separated himself from the rest, defining his role among the cluster. "Are you the mighty warriors which slain all of these demons?" the samurai leader questioned with authority.
"If we are, what is it to you?" Hiei asked haughtily in return, his distrustful nature now in command. Even though he gazed upwards at the rider, the fire apparition had fiery eyes the declared superiority and ferocity.
'A soul of tragic pain.'
"I am Kinomoto Taka, lord and master of my clan. I am in search for warriors as powerful as yourselves; in fact, I am in desperate need of your services." Although most of Lord Taka's features were hidden and shadowed by his ornate helmet and armor, Hiei and the others could clearly make out a young man's voice. The combatant lord could not be more than twenty-five human years.
"You look like you have plenty of underlings already," was the fire demon's answer.
"It is not underlings I am in search for, ninja," Kinamoto retorted gravely. "Please do not take my request so lightly. My clan's need is great, and we shall be extremely grateful for your assistance."
The samurai's persistence intrigued Hiei (who had never thought himself a ninja) enough for his next question. "What's in it for us other than your gratitude?"
Hope glinting in Lord Taka's voice, the feudal lord answered gladly, "Anything you request other than the lives within our clan. Our only fee is your trust, your loyalty, and your skills. Other than these conditions, all is free to you."
At the sound of the offer, Hiei grinned. There were no ulterior motives within this human; he had no other goals than to defeat his named enemy. Reading his mind was enough proof. "Fine."
With the negotiations done, Lord Taka gratefully ordered his men to return to the clan's estate. Before many of the soldiers were gone, the lord turned to the Detectives and kindly asked, "Do you and your lady know how to ride? If you do, then I shall gladly provide horses for you."
"Two will do."
Nodding, Lord Taka quickly summoned two well-bred horses. Taking the headstrong stallion, Hiei mounted the sable beast with Yukina seated behind him. Kazuma was given the gentler mare. (Although it would have made sense if Kazuma got the larger, stronger horse, Hiei had a frightening air that had already badgered the stallion into submission.)
"Hiei, what do you think you're doing?" Kazuma growled quietly as the three followed the feudal lord back to his estate. "Why the hell did you agree us to fight for this guy?"
"I'm finding a safe hold for Yukina and ourselves," the fire demon snapped back in irritation. He currently did not want to deal with the human; in fact, he never wanted to deal with him. "We don't have a clue to where we are or how to get back. So perhaps these humans here will have a way to serving our needs. They already know about demons, so they might know something about the demons we're after. Besides, our side of the bargain is no trouble."
"I just hope Lord Taka is as trustworthy as he seems," Yukina whispered quietly to her friends.
'Can he be trusted?'
"Oh," Lord Taka called behind him, the young man somewhat embarrassed. "Pardon me for my poor manners, but what are your names? As we shall be battling together, it would be proper to know one another's name."
"Hiei," the ebony and ivory haired one answered.
"I'm Kuwabara Kazuma," the carrot-top replied, his introduction a little more polite.
"My name is Yukina," the ice maiden whispered sheepishly, giving a small awkward bow from atop her perch. Her ruby orbs smiled pleasantly at the lord. "And it is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Taka. I hope we can be friends."
And for some odd reason, the warring lord dearly wished that as well.
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