Chapter Six: Kulimi, Keeper of Spirits

            (As Well As The Millennium Elemental Jewels, and Melfina's Affections)

            Deep in the Makai, Kuwabara kept tripping over roots and vines with Yusuke. Kurama walked beside Corone. High above, Hiei was guarding the rear, leaping from branch to branch. His thoughts constantly wandered to Melfina.

            She's so beautiful. And graceful, like… like a spirit. Ah, damn tight pants, anyway. I wonder if…

            "Mel, Cor, are we there yet?!" Yusuke moaned. Hiei and Kurama bit back snarls at such familiarity with their women. Melfina nodded.

            "Right about here." They came upon a clearing in the dense forest, with a crystalline pool and a thin waterfall. "This way." A little stone path led to the pool. Melfina leapt to a large rock in the center, then to another nearer the falls, and another. "You guys are gonna get wet, but come on anyway." She, Corone, and Hotaru disappeared behind the thin sheet of water. The guys followed swiftly.

            "Oh, Melfina, Corone!" A girl of about ten, with long white hair and black eyes, smiled warmly. "You look lovely this evening." It was true, at least of Melfina, Hiei thought. She was stunning in the embroidered, sapphire peasant top and the knee length black skirt. The half-Koorime saw just enough bare skin to keep from gawking. Imagination was a wonderful thing, sometimes. Corone wore a pair of common blue shorts and a violet tank top.

            "Hey, Kulimi, pack up the ME Jewels, Koenma's orders."

            "Huh? What's going on, Mel?"

            "Your boyfriend from the last eon's still alive."

            "Setio?! That bastard!"

            "Jewels, now. He wants them, we need them, and you." The girl picked up a wine red glass case that had the words OPEN ME set in garnets. Inside were five egg sized crystals.

            "Got them, good, let's go… oh, shit-aki mushrooms!"

            "Hello, Elfling. Miss me?" A dark haired youkai, about nine feet tall, smiled at Melfina. She shook her head.

            "Yeah, you and a plague of mosquitoes!" She snapped angrily. "What the heck do you want, Max?" The demon's cold, piercing dark gaze shifted from Melfina, to Yusuke, to Melfina, to Hiei.

            "Ah." He murmured. "I see." Then, he ordered, "Give me the Jewels."

            "Oh yeah, sure, why not? Not in this century, bubble head." Kulimi snapped. The enemy snarled, "Silence, little insect." Kulimi growled in anger, shouting, " Screw you, fart knocker!"

            "Return the Millennium Element Jewels, or I shall have to take the Star Child as a consolation prize instead." Melfina stepped back, trembling. Corone drew twin daggers and tensed up, ready to attack.

            "Stay the fuck away from my sister, you bastard!" Yusuke said. "Who the hell are you, anyway?" Yusuke tried to take a step forward, and found himself paralyzed. The others were in a similar predicament.

            "Ah. Maxentius Lupercalus is my name. Melfina," the voice became gentle, hypnotic, "Come here to me. Come here, Melfina. Listen to my voice. You want to be in my arms, don't you?" Hiei glanced at the goddess, saw her starlit eyes cloud suddenly. She took a hesitant step forward, then another. "Come on, Melfina."

            "Melfina!" Hiei cried. "Fight him! Don't listen! Fight!" Her eyes cleared, then clouded again. "Melfina, wake up!" Desperation clawed at his heart. She couldn't go to the demon, he'd kill her. Melfina!

            I knew it. You're in love with her. How absurd, that the Forbidden Child of Koorime even dream of fucking such a delicious treat as a Star Child. That is to be my sweet privilege. Hahaha! Hiei's rage made his Jagan glow bright blue, but a soft brush against his mind calmed it almost immediately. What the hell?

            Hiei, don't let him get to you. I need your help. If I channel enough of my energy, you'll be able to fight him.

            Melfina? Sweet laughter.

            Yes. Here, my gift to you… beloved. Maybe he imagined that last part, he thought, as a wave of energy slammed into him, filling him with power. This was Melfina's power? Kami… Hiei ran and slammed his katana down Lupercalus's throat, and blood gurgled and bubbled from his mouth. The demon slammed a wave of reiki through the blade and into the other youkai's body, and it disintegrated in a flash of blinding light. Melfina moaned and would have fallen, but Hiei caught her.

            Melfina?

            Hiei?

            Yes.

            Thank you.

            About what you said-

            Later, beloved. Not now. The others are staring. She smiled, and he knew she would keep her promise.