A/N: I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. I don't know why, but I couldn't use certain symbols/keys in my chapters, so I had to change them. I can't even put my usual smilies. How bothersome. Anyway, thank you to the following reviewers:
XxAnimeLover14xX-Thanks!
Asilin Kheldarson-Thanks for the encouragement! You'll most probably like seeing the brothers' asses get kicked.
I can't believe it's reached the tenth chapter. I'd like to thank those who reviewed my story so far. You guys really helped me pull through. So this chapter is for you guys.
Disclaimer: I don't own YYH.
"…" talk
[…] thoughts
{…} telepathy
= = = = = = changes of scene/time
Chapter 10: Okoru! Tsuyoku Naru no Tame Ni: Snapped! For The Sake to Be Strong.
3rd Person's POV
Other than Seko and Kosatsu's laughter, no other sound was heard. Yusuke and the others watched on worriedly. Suddenly, there was a change in the energy wave in the atmosphere. It seemed that the space was distorted. The change disturbed the Reikai Tanteis. The atmosphere around them made them feel uneasy. The energy was confused, lost but nothing compared to the hurt and anger it harboured. "!!" They saw Mizuko slowly standing up. She hung her head down so they could not see her expression. Seko and Kosatsu were feeling threatened by now. Mizuko burned with a blue aura around her.
"S-Sugoi no youki…" Yusuke said softly. "It's like the atmosphere turned chilly." Kuwabara said. He was intimidated by the heavy aura. "Such anger." Kurama whispered, as cold sweat rolled down his face. Hiei felt it too, but chose not to say anything. [Mizuko…] He only hoped that she was alright. Slowly, Mizuko lifted her head. "!!" The Reikai Tanteis went wide-eyed at her look. It was expressionless. Gone was the light in her eyes, replaced by a cold, steely glare. With her youki wrapping around her, Mizuko looked like she was burning with cold fury. The scar on her neck, the David Star glowed bright red, as though ablazed. Keiko and Botan gasped in unison. Mizuko began to speak in a low voice. "That…was the only thing I have left, the one thing that held my memories." The others flinched inwardly at her tone. Her voice was cold and sharp. Although it was low, it sounded so clear and crisp. So unlike the Mizuko they have known. "That bracelet meant so much to me. Nice to see, lovely to hold. Once broken, considered sold." She began to recite some warning one could see in any shop. Mizuko looked up at the demons, "Daisho ga, kisama no inochi." Seko took a step back fearfully. Kosatsu, however, rushed forward, shouting, "Don't be so arrogant!" Mizuko just stood there. As the younger demon came closer, a wave of blue youki hit him before he realized it, too fast even for Yusuke to detect. The next second, Kosatsu's body was lying on the ground in several pieces. He had died without even feeling the pain.
Seko whimpered and began to back away. Mizuko sent him a glare that froze him on the spot. He was terrified and shook like a leaf. Paralyzed with no means of escaped, Seko threw himself on the ground, "D-Don't kill me! Please don't kill me! I'll-I'll do anything, I'll tell you about who is behind all this!" begged Seko. "Groveling like a dog. How pathetic!" Mizuko spat in disgust. "You're not even worth living as a demon." Hearing this, Seko got up and began to run. But before he could run very far, the blue youki had wrapped around him. Seko felt pressure as the youki closed in on his head. "Go to hell." "Ya-Yame-" Blood spattered, and Seko's headless body fell lifeless onto the ground.
The Tanteis, who have witnessed the killing, felt a chill down their spines. How easily Mizuko had killed them. Without a flinch or hesitation, without any emotions, she was such an efficient killer. Different thoughts ran through their minds. [She really is dangerous when she snaps.] Yusuke recalled what Koenma said about Mizuko losing her temper. [Ko-Kowai da!] Kuwabara gulped nervously. [What killer intent. I didn't know she can be potentially lethal.] Kurama still felt the chill of her voice. Hiei's senses tingled with the familiar feeling of danger. Yet, he was in awe. [Hn. The onna is much stronger than I thought. Omoshiroi.] The unsettling mood disappeared and the blue youki covering Mizuko dissipated, although the David Star still burned brightly against her skin. Her back was still turned to them.
Pulling herself out of her shock, Botan slowly approached her and called out gently, "Mizuko-chan? Daijobu ka?" Seeing no response, Botan laid a hand on her shoulder and looked at Mizuko. Her eyes have returned to their normal gentleness, although now they showed her confusion and sadness. "I'd like to be alone." With that she walked away, deeper into the forest. "Is she okay?" Kurama asked concernedly. Botan nodded, "She seemed a little depressed but otherwise, she's fine." Yusuke breathed a sigh of relief. "Yokatta." "Where's she headed to?" "She wants to be alone." They nodded at Botan's words. Genkai turned back and began to walk. "We should get back. She needs some time to herself." They agreed and followed Genkai. However, no one noticed when Hiei slipped away from the group silently. Except for Kurama who just smiled to himself. He knew that the koorime was going after Mizuko.
= = = = = =
Mizuko's POV
After a little distance into the forest, I came to a small stream. I kneeled on the bank and washed my face. [So cooling.] I proceeded to wash the blood stains on my arms [Hm?] I looked at my reflection and noticed the red scar. It wasn't hurting anymore but it was glowing. [Is this a side effect of the outburst just now?] I also noticed that although I was a tired, my wounds didn't hurt so much. I looked at the slash on my leg that Seko gave me. Or at least, I was looking for it. [Where's the wound? Come to think of it, where are the other serious wounds?] I was bewildered. There were no signs of the more damaging injuries that I had from the fight. "Could the youki have healed some of them?" I wondered aloud. A slight change in the air told me someone was watching me. And I recognized the energy signature. "You can come out, Hiei." Said fire demon dropped down from the branch where he was standing on. "Hn."
"Why are you watching me?" I didn't turn to face him. Instead, I made myself comfortable on the bank, sitting with my legs spread out. For a while, he didn't answer and silence hung in the air. "You fought quite well." [That still doesn't answer my question.] "The youki was very strong. I never knew you were that capable." It felt a little weird. [Is he trying to make conversation?] "I didn't expect to have that much youki either." "Where did you get that power?" I frowned a little. "I wish I knew too, Hiei. But I'm kind of scared." "Why?" "Didn't you see just now? The power I have inside of me could kill so easily. I don't know how great or how terrible it is. Having something inside of me and not knowing its full capacity, not knowing what it could do. It frightens me, it confuses me. I have no idea how I should handle this newfound power. Heck, I don't even know how to tap in to it!" Again, there was no answer. "Ningens are so weak. They are so incompetent that they fear anything beyond their knowledge." I felt my morale drop a few notches. "Because of that fear, any chances of growing stronger slip from their grasps." I sweatdropped. [Ahehe…I should've expected him to say that.]
"But," I perked up. "You're a hanyou, and it seemed like a powerful one at that. You should not fear the power inside of you. It is yours to use and yours to control." (Wow, Hiei's talking like a philosopher!) I repeated his words in my head. A light smile crept up my lips. "Arigatou, Hiei. I understand now." "Hn." I shook my head slightly, smiling at his response. I stood and dusted the dirt from my pants. Turning around, I said to him, "Kaeru ka?" To my surprise, a blush spread across Hiei's face and he looked away. I was confused to say the least, until I noticed the source of his embarrassment. There was a large rip on my shirt right across the front and a little flesh was exposed. (Ahem!) I flushed and quickly covered it, laughing nervously, "Ahaha…shimatta." [How am I going to get back?] "Heh?" Hiei was handing me his cloak. "Use this." He said, still not looking at me and still red. I took it and stuttered a thank you. Hiei just 'hned' and walked off. I trailed from behind.
I took this opportunity to study him closely. He had on a blue sleeveless shirt. His arms were lean and muscled. His right hand was bandaged, hiding his black dragon tattoo. I suddenly found myself wondering how it'd feel to be held by those arms. I quickly stopped my train of thoughts and blushed again. [Where did you get that idea?] I absent-mindedly pulled the cloak closer, relishing the softness of its material close to my skin. Throughout the whole journey, we didn't speak to each other.
= = = = = =
Hiei's POV
When we were almost at Genkai's temple, Mizuko suggested that we climb in through her bedroom window. I was secretly relieved. I didn't like the idea of letting the others see me with Mizuko, who had my cloak on. I easily jumped up the branches of the tree outside her room and waited for her to follow. She jumped up after me albeit a little clumsily. When she was in her room, I turned to leave. "Matte, Hiei." I turned around. The onna slipped my cloak off and handed it back to me. I refrained from letting my eyes wander and resisted the blush that threatened to surface. "Arigatou." "Hn." I responded as I took the cloak from her and jumped outside. I wrapped the cloak around myself again. Her scent and warmth was still on the cloak.
Daisho-Price (Figurative)
Inochi-Life
Daisho ga, kisama no inochi-The price, your lives
Kowai-Scary
Omoshiroi-Interesting
Yokatta-That's good/That's a relief
Kaeru ka?-Shall we go home?/Let's go home (suggestive)
A/N: It seems like another short chapter to me, but I wanted to show that even Mizuko would snap. And she's so scary when she does. (I always say, never underestimate the wrath of women) Well, I hope you like this chapter. Please review to let me know what you think about it. As for readers who don't review, well, thanks for reading too! Ja ne!
