Kouken Gurentai

by Noelani

This story is about a girl who has been named the new Spirit Detective. Like Yusuke she loves a good fight & she has demon heritage, but can she control it long enough to conquer it? With the help of 2 street kids & fellow youkai, we'll just have to see.

15. Part 15

Part 15

When we arrived at the barrier Koenma opened it and let us through to Makai. We were met by Botan on the other side who filled me in with more information. I nodded as we headed north to where the demon was last seem causing havoc. It didn't take long before we found a city whose demon citizens were all turned to stone. The dragon descended and I jumped off of him, leaving Gouka on his head.

"Dragon, you and Gouka fly above and see if you can see anything out of the ordinary, if you do come find me." They both nodded as the dragon took off into the dawning sky. I sighed as I began to look around the city for clues as to why the demon was taking souls. Eventually I came across a store that had been completely ransacked. I went inside and looked around, finding it was a bookstore, "That's odd..." I looked around more and noticed a single book was missing from the shelves. I could tell because dust completely overran the store, and it was clean where the book had once sat.

I went back outside, "What could a demon who has the power of territories want with demon souls? And what's with the missing book?" My right arm tingled as the White Tiger burst from it. "What are you doing?" I asked as he began to snarl.

"Something's coming..." he replied. It was the first time I'd heard him speak since I had found him in Makai, so I was kind of surprised. Suddenly I felt the demon presence that he had minutes earlier. "Watch your back..." I nodded as a demon appeared in front of us, bowing. I noticed he held in his left hand a book, the one I figured was missing from the store.

"Who are you and what do you want with us?"

He looked up at us with a spark in his eyes, "Welcome, Princess."

"What?" I asked him.

"Forgive me, Stephanie, I was referring to your demon counterpart, Izanami."

"How do you know who I am and about her?"

He stood up straight and laughed, "I know because I'm the one who helped her become human."

"...Cerinos?"

"Hello, my dear, it's been a long time, I'm glad to see you have not lost your demon prowess."

My eyes flared, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to this town when I heard it had been attacked by a pupil of mine. I have grown old over the years and trained a demon to take my place, but he disobeyed me and began to steal the souls of demons with his powers. At first it was only one here and there, but in this last week he has grown soul hungry and is taking the souls of whole towns."

"Has this pupil of yours ever been to the Human World?"

Cerinos nodded, "Once, right before he began to steal demon souls. He didn't say why he went there, but he was extremely happy for some reason."

A deep growl escaped my throat, "It's him...this pupil of his, he's who stole my parent's souls!"

Tora Hino Shiro sat down, "Why do you have that book from the store?"

"He was looking for it. It is a book that I had hidden from the normal demon eyes as a boring old book. The owner of the bookstore was a friend of mine and agreed to keep it. Inside of this book are the secrets to my powers. If he finds this book, he will become unstoppable."

"He...who's he?"

"I am sorry, Stephanie, his name is Pharin...aahhhh!"

"Cerinos, what's happening! Cerinos!" I exclaimed as he threw the book to me. I caught it and saw him turn to stone. A sphere came out of him and a demon appeared, eating it.

"You monster!"

"Hee-hee-hee," he cackled evilly, "Little Stephanie...I remember you... You were only two when I trapped your parents in my territory and stole their souls"

"I'll kill you!"

"Remember, you're in my territory, if you go against any of my rules, you will suffer the same fate as the old master."

"So, I don't say your name, what's so hard about that?"

"I have other rules set up as well, young child, beware."

I looked around the city and at the stone demons, "Okay, I can't say his name...by the looks of that demon I can't wield a metal sword, and by that one I can't touch glass. Man, this demon's got issues with rules..." I closed my eyes, "Elemental Ancestors, give me the strength and knowledge to beat this demon who stole from me and so many others. Allow me to avenge those he has killed!"

A bright light flew from the sky and crashed down onto me. Spirit energy began to flood my body as well as the knowledge of his rules that he had put into play. "What are you doing!" Pharin barked.

My eyes shot open, glowing a bright golden color, "I am here to destroy you once and for all, you demon scum! Elemental Invigoration!" My demonic powers began to pulsate through my veins, making me even stronger, but allowing me to remain in control, "Time to die, Kyuukyoku Yousotachi!" The elemental long sword formed in my hand, glowing brightly of the different elements.

"Your sword will be your doom!"

"NOT IF I CREATE MY OWN RULES!"

"That's not possible for someone such as you!"

I held Cerinos' book up and it began to float in front of me. It opened and began to flip through the many pages before stopping on one labeled 'Territories of Rules'. I grinned, "Haroso greka laltha rensho mercos, kerent mercos inlaltha! Rezo mercos ke freo ghrenas mewbor greka untu gryka lalthar weim queken!"

Pharin's eyes began to glow as he began to change the rules, but to no avail, "What's going on, how can you harness such power!"

"Because I am not a weak, soul thirsty monster!" I exclaimed as I launched forward at him. He jumped back but I was just as fast. I kicked him backwards and he crashed into a building. The building shook as his gaze fell upon me with utter hatred. I walked towards him as he jumped away from the building and stood in the middle of the street again. A grin spread across his ugly face as he pulled Cerinos' book out from behind him. I froze, "How did you get that?"

He cackled loudly, "I may be a devourer of souls, but at least I have intelligence." Pharin flipped through the book. He stopped and recited a spell quickly, which I realized voided my own spell, putting him in control. I banished my sword as he stopped reading the spell. "You're powerless now, I am in complete control!"

I closed my eyes, "Of me and my powers, you may be, but you never thought about them, did you?"

"What are you talking about?" he questioned turning around and seeing the Tora Hino Shiro, Gouka, and the combined Dragons, "Heh, what could they possible do to me? They're nothing but insignificant creatures!"

"Those insignificant creatures are unaffected by your rules, demon!"

"They can't be, my territorial rules can stop anyone or anything," Pharin retorted.

"Of Makai and Ningenkai, but your territories can't affect spirits themselves, am I right?" He shot a glare back in my direction and I just grinned widely. "Looks like you're gonna meet your demise at the hands of a Spirit Beast and guardians! Dragons, seperate!" They flew over to me as I put my hands together. My dragon went up my left arm as Hiei's swirled up my right. My whole right arm went completely numb from it's dark hellfire body. I screamed as I released the kokuryuhaa and he flew straight at Gouka.

Gouka's eyes turned white as the dragon and he crashed into one another, becoming one being. The kokuryuhaa and white tiger growled at one another, but quickly put their differences aside to take out Pharin. I held my arm as the two beasts fell upon the demon, who had no idea what kind of power they possessed. I watched as Pharin took off to the tops of the buildings. I released my wings and flew up into the air as the dragon and tiger followed him in pursuit.

Pharin stopped running after about five minutes, but unknown to him a surprise attack was being staged. The two guardians rushed at him from opposite sides. He didn't have enough time to cast a spell or even dodge to the side as they crashed into him, creating a huge explosion from their massive opposing powers. The shock waves sent me flying backwards, but I quickly regained control so I could see what happened next. When the dust settled on top of the building I saw the kokuryuhaa, tiger, and Gouka where Pharin had once stood. Gouka flew upto me and handed me the book which was not even scratched.

I took it from him as our attention was captured. Brightly colored orbs began to shoot out from where Pharin once was and fly off in multiple directions, "The souls! Cerinos!" I flew back down to the ground and stood in front of my stone friend. The orb containing his soul flew into him and life returned to his body.

He shook his head, "What happened?"

I smiled and held out the book, "Pharin is dead."

"How did you beat him?"

"Even after he had gotten his hands on the book he was no match for Goukaryuu, Jaou Ensatsu Kokuryuhaa, and Tora Hino Shiro."

"Did you just say that the Dragon of Darkness and Tiger of Light fought together?"

"Yes, my friend Hiei has control of the dragon while I of the tiger. They both put aside their differences to defeat him," I nodded as Cerinos took the book from me.

Cerinos saw my right arm was badly burned and walked over, "That injury, was it the kokuryuhaa?"

"Yes, Hiei's," I told him.

Cerinos smiled and nodded, "That should be looked at immediately." He knew that he could easily heal the wound but he did not. He sighed, "I do thank you, Stephanie. I told you my powers are ones that are not to be messed with. In the wrong hands anyone can cause massive chaos and destruction with them."

I nodded, "I know." Out of no where two orbs flew down and floated in front of me. I looked at Cerinos, "Are these--"

"The souls of your parents? Yes. Take them back to Ningenkai and find your parents bodies."

"How will I find them?"

"Talk to Koenma, I'm sure he can find them for you..." he said turning around.

My eyes widened, "...wait, you know Koenma?"

"Right again, the Prince of the Spirit World and I go way back. I only know him through his father, though."

"I won't ask why you know them, I just want to say thank you again."

He nodded, "You are very much welcome. I hope to see you again, my friend."

"As do I..." I trailed off as he disappeared. I took ahold of one of the soul orbs while Gouka took the other one. I looked at the kokuryuhaa, Gouka, and white tiger, "Let's go back home."

I rose up into the air and we took off towards the barrier. When we arrived Koenma let us pass to the human world. It only took twenty or so minutes for us to reach the apartment.

Hiei perked up from inside the living room and went up onto the roof. He saw us descending upon the rooftop, and then he saw my arm. As soon as I landed he walked over, "You're arm, what happened?"

A small smile creeped across my lips, "Your black dragon..."

"You seperated them on your own? Are you crazy?"

"Uh-huh, you should know that by now."

He sighed and placed his hand on my shoulder, closing his eyes. Hiei released fire from his hand, slowly moving it all the way down my arm to my fingertips, and as he did the burn healed. When he was done I raised my arm for the Tora Hino Shiro and he ran up to his resting spot. My Jagan eye closed and both tattoos disappeared instantly. Gouka handed me the other orb as Hiei's own dragon returned to his arm. Hiei noticed the orbs and knew what they were automatically, "Those are soul orbs."

"Yeah...they're my parents..."

His eyes widened, "Your parents?"

"I found the demon who stole their soul and almost took mine as a child... I defeated him in battle with your dragon and my tiger."

"You need to find your parents for them to be of any use," Hiei told me.

"I think I already know that..."

"Stephanie!" I looked up and saw Botan flying down on her oar. She stopped and hovered in front of us, "Koenma wishes an audience with you, Spirit Detective."

I nodded and turned to Hiei, "You think you can stick around a little longer?"

"Sure," he replied.

Botan and I took off into the sky and eventually entered Reikai. Once we were at the castle, I was instantly escorted to Koenma's office. "Welcome back to Reikai, Stephanie, it's been a long time since you've been here. Congratulations on your defeating Pharin, I knew you would be able to win against him and release the souls of all those he turned to stone."

"Koenma, do you--"

"Know where you can find your parents stone bodies? Yes, I do. They have been guarded since the day it happened by someone you know very well. I knew of what had happened because Cerinos had warned me about his apprentice's evil intentions. I didn't know at the time that they had a daughter, but when you were killed ten years later and brought before me, I realized who you were. I'm sorry I kept this a secret for so long, but I didn't know if you remembered your parents or not. Anyway, to the point, go talk to Zjaan, he has been hiding their bodies at his home."

"Zjaan? Are you kidding me!"

"No, I am not," he replied, "Zjaan is an apparition that works in Ningenkai for me, keeping tabs on the demons who live in your world."

I grinned brightly, "Thanks, Koenma, I'll see you later!" I turned and ran out of his office. I left the castle and flew into the sky. Koenma opened the barrier and I entered back into Ningenkai, heading straight for the club. When I arrived, I landed in the alley and dispersed my wings. I walked to the back and in through the employee's entrance. The club had only a few demons in it since it was still early in the day, so finding Zjaan didn't take long. "Zjaan, I was told you have some statues for me?"

He smiled and nodded, "Yes, Stephanie, I do. Follow me."

The two of us left the downstairs club and went upstairs to where most of the workers lived. When we reached the top floor we went through the only door there, which lead to a large condo. We continued on to a large set of doors. He opened them and there before me, in the middle of the light room, I saw my parents for the first time in fifteen years. I could feel the tears start to roll down my cheeks, but I couldn't help it. My parents were safe and sound. I walked over to the statues, staring at them. My mother and I looked almost identical, except she was older, but I noticed I had my father's nose.

I smiled slightly and then held the orbs out in front of the statues, "Ancient ancestors of the Elements, give me the power to return these souls to their rightful place inside of this woman and man so that they may live again."

My hands fell away from the orbs as a bright light surrounded them both. The soul orbs began to circle my parents stone bodies, reenergizing them and giving them back their life. Eventually the orbs shot themselves straight into the hearts of them both. Minutes later the stone melted away, leaving my parents standing in its place. Their eyes adjusted to the light and then they fell upon me.

"Who are you?" my father asked.

The tears began to flow more and more down my cheeks, "I-I'm y-your daughter, St-Stephanie..."

My mother's eyes grew wide as she looked at me, noticing how alike we were. A bright beautiful smile crossed her face, "Stephanie, it is you..."

"MOM! DAD!" I ran to them and hugged them both tightly.

"Shh...it's okay..." my father said as they hugged me back.

I heard Zjaan clear his throat and pulled away from my parents. "W-what is he!" my mother asked, seeing Zjaan wasn't human.

I smiled, "This is my friend, Zjaan. He owns the club downstairs. He's the one who kept your bodies safe after the demon Pharin stole your souls."

"Demon...?"

"Uh-huh, I'm partially one too, but it didn't come from you guys, I was born with the soul and blood of a demon princess who gave up her powers to become human."

"This is confusing..." my mother trailed off.

"Here, I'll show you," I replied stepping away from them. I released my wings and brought out a basic sword. After that I went through the rest of the swords until I reached my ultimate. I dispersed the sword and then went on to open my Jagan eye, "Mom, Dad, I want you to meet my two guardians. Youso Kokuryuhaa, Tora Hino Shiro, come forth!"

The two tattoos trailed off my arm and released the beasts inside of the room. The dragon swirled around me while the tiger sat down. I patted them both and looked over at my parents. The looks on their faces said it all, they were frightened to an extent, but more than that they were enthralled with it all. "Can we touch them, Stephanie?" my father asked.

A small laugh escaped me as I nodded, "Sure, come over here." They walked over in front of me and the two guardians. "This is Tora Hino Shiro, the Tiger of the White Flame, and this is Youso Kokuryuhaa, the Black Elemental Dragon. Guardians, be nice to them, they are my parents."

The tiger lowered himself so he was laying down allowing my parents to, well, pet him. My dragon stayed part way coiled around me and lowered his head so they could pet him as well. My father smiled, "They're nice."

"Yeah, until you piss them off," I beamed, "They've got more of an attitude than I do, which is pretty sad since I'm one of the shortest tempered people I know. I think the only ones worse than me are Kazuma Kuwabara and Yusuke Urameshi, two of my friends."

My mother looked at me, "So, how old are you? Are you still in school?"

"Yep, I'm in Grade 12 at Sarayashiki High School, and I'm seventeen."

"Wow, it's been fifteen years since we've been alive? How did you survive all this time?"

"That's a long story, but to make it short, I was taken by a kid named Keishou to the bad side of town so I wouldn't be put in an orphanage. I started working for the Black Market to begin with, which was how I met Zjaan, because he worked at this club as the doorman. After that I was killed by the Toguro Brothers when I was twelve, but Prince Koenma of the Spirit World gave me my life back by hatching a spirit egg. Soon after I met two kids who were four and eight at the time and took them in with me at the apartment I had just rented. We've lived there ever since, a happy family of fighters."

"You're a fighter?"

I nodded, "Of course, in fact, my friends and I won the Dark Tournament about a month ago. We went up against five powerful teams, and I almost lost my life again three times...or something like that... Anyway, I have to go, I have to get to school before Mr. Takenaka sends the army after me."

"Okay, when can we see you again?"

"Um, how about tonight?" I replied, having the guardians return to my arms. I closed my Jagan eye and went out into the condo, "I work here at the club nightly with the two kids I live with, you can see me then."

"Alright," they agreed.

I turned to Zjaan, "Take care of them for me while I'm gone?"

"Yes," he concurred with a smile. I walked over to one of the windows and thrust it open.

"Ta-ta for now!" I waived jumping out the window and gliding out on the air thermals. I laughed as I headed for home to change into my school uniform for school, which was surprising since on a regular day, if I was late, I wouldn't even bother. I arrived at the apartment and flew onto my balcony. I opened my sliding glass door and went inside. I banished my wings and changed clothes quickly, before heading into the living room.

Hiei stood up, "Did you find them?"

"Yes, to my surprise Zjaan had been keeping them safe for all these years, even weirder is that he's a friend of Koenma's. Anyway, do you have my key? I have to get going to school."

He tossed it to me, "Guess my job here's done."

I smiled, "Yeah, but don't forget to come visit us, alright?" He agreed and we left the apartment, locking it up. Hiei disappeared onto the rooftops of town with Goukaryuu and I headed to school. When I arrived lunch was just getting over so I still had half a day left. I went to my class and sat down, already bored out of my mind.

After three more classes I left school and headed home to get some more sleep before heading to work. At around seven I awoke and went out to see Tyler finishing making dinner. The three of us ate dinner over a conversation of the job that Koenma had given me early that morning and my parents. After dinner we seperated into our rooms to get ready for work. As soon as we were changed out of our school uniforms we headed out the door. When we arrived at the club, I took Tyler and Tiffany to meet my parents before we had to start working.

"Stephanie, you're here," my mother smiled.

"Of course," I replied, "Mom, Dad, I want you to meet the two kids I said I have been living with. This is Tyler, he's thirteen, and that is Tiffany, who's nine. They both have demon blood inside of them as well. Tyler is part wolf demon while Tiffany is part cat demon."

My father shook their hands, "It's a pleasure to meet the both of you."

"You too," Tyler and Tiffany replied.

"Can you create swords, grow wings, and release beasts like Stephanie?" my mother asked since I said they were also demons.

Tiffany laughed, "Not really. I can create a spirit bow and arrows of the elements. I can also use two attacks called Ayatori Youso Tsume and Ankoku-no-Tsuki Tamasii Hakaiya , the Cat's Cradle Element Claw and Dark Moon Soul Destruction Arrow. I can only use them while I'm in my youkai form though."

"I can draw out twin spirit swords, a spirit explosion, and use lightning, fire, and water attacks. In my alter youkai form I can use Zenshinfuzui Kiba, the Total Paralysis Fang; Dokuga, the Poison Fang; and Koumajutsu, the Demon Invocation or Summoning," Tyler explained.

"That's amazing," my father beamed, "I wish I could do amazing things like that."

"You should meet the rest of our team from the Dark Tournament, there's six more, and they're all amazing fighters with really cool techniques," I grinned looking at the time, "Oh, it's eight, time for us to get to work. I work at the bar, while Tyler's on lighting, and Tiffany's backstage helping the performers. If you need anything find one of us or Zjaan."

They agreed and the three of us left them at their table alone. As soon as I got behind the bar, demons began to flock over to get drinks. I had noticed they found an interest in my way of mixing drinks. I did it with style, doing tricks and stunts with the bottles. That and the fact that I remembered the regular's drink preferences and how much of each type of alcohol they liked in their drinks. It's weird, I know, but they liked not having to tell me exactly what they wanted and how they wanted it.

Around ten, Zjaan walked over behind the bar and pulled me to the side, "Stephanie, why don't you go backstage and think of a song to perform for your parents? It'd be nice, you know?"

I smiled, "Sure, that sounds great."

"I'll take care of the drinks until you finish your performance."

I left the bar and went around the tables, eventually going backstage. Tiffany saw me walking towards her, "Stephanie, what's wrong?"

"Zjaan wants me to perform for my parents."

"Do you know what you're going to sing?"

I shook my head, "No, but I have an idea."

She lead me to an empty dressing room, "You can stay in here until you figure something out."

With a nod from me, Tiffany left the room. I closed my eyes and my clothes changed to the same outfit I was wearing when I performed with Botan and Yukina. I sat down in the chair and stared into the mirror, trying to figure out what I should sing. I wanted it to be special, so that my parents could always remember it. I sighed as I closed my eyes, clearing my mind completely of all thoughts.

About ten minutes later my eyes shot open and I jumped, "That's it!"

Author's note:

The reason for this strange language is it's a forgotten language that was lost with the ancient demons of past eras. Here's the translation: "Grant me power over rules, territorial rules empower! Any rules he places against me and my powers are voided!"