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.

16. Part 16

Part 16

I left the room and found Tiffany, telling her what I was going to perform. "That's perfect!" she exclaimed, "I know they'll love it!"

"Thanks," I smiled as the demon who was performing came into the back, "Alright, let's get this show on the road..." Tiffany nodded and I went out onto the curtain drawn stage.

"Please give a warm welcome to our very own Stephanie Jiano!" I heard the announcer tell everyone. Applause erupted since many of them knew me from when I was younger when I used to perform regularly when I wasn't running errands for the market. The music started to 'Let the Music Heal Your Soul' and the curtain rose, Tyler positioning a dimmed beam of light on me.

I stared out at the crowd and smiled, "Oh, if someone writes a song, with a simple rhyme, just a song, where his feelings show... And if someone feels the same, about the simple song, oh sometimes, you can hear them sing... Music gives you happiness and sadness, but it also, it also heals your soul..."

During the chorus, backup singers who performed with every soloist, sang with me, "Let the music heal your soul, let the music take control... Let the music give you, the power to move any mountain..." They quieted as I continued on.

"Oh, if someone plays piano, with some simple chords, so melodic, and endearing too... And oh, if someone plays guitar, with the old piano, and maybe, you can hear them sing... Music gives you happiness or sadness, but it also, it also heals your soul..."

"Let the music heal your soul, let the music take control... Let the music give you, the power to move any mountain..."

"Let the music heal your soul... Let the music take control... Let the music heal your soul... Oh...oh yes..."

We joined back together for the last chorus, "Let the music heal your soul, let the music take control... Let the music heal your soul, let the music take control... Let the music heal your soul, let the music take control... Oh, let the music give you, the power to move any mountain..."

"Everybody sing, yeah... Let the music heal your soul..." I trailed off as the stage went black. The lights came back on and I bowed, a smile beaming across my face. I had forgotten how much fun it was to sing as a soloist with just you, the backup singers, and the audience. It's an amazing feeling that one can't even really explain.

I stood up and went backstage, handing the microphone off to the next performer. I closed my eyes and my outfit changed back to my work clothes. Tiffany ran up and gave me a huge hug, "You were great!"

"Thanks," I grinned, "Singing is the only thing that always seemed to come naturally to me other than fighting. Talk about a weird combination, huh?"

"Yeah," she laughed, "You'd better get back to the bar."

"You're right," I concurred, leaving the backstage area and heading back to the bar. On the way back I received a thumbs up from Tyler at his lighting station. When I was back behind the bar, Zjaan left me with only a smile across his face.

Seconds later a lot of demons were at the bar ordering drinks and asking for my autograph. I complied, and received some major tips from them. At midnight I shoved all my tips into my pocket and headed to my parents table with five drinks. I sat down and gave them two of the drinks and kept one for myself, leaving the other two for Tyler and Tiffany.

"You were amazing up there, Stephanie, you really are a multi-talented girl," my father complimented me.

"Thank you, Dad," I blushed, "I never really thought about it until now. Singing and fighting just come naturally to me."

"They sure do," my mother laughed, "Keep it up and you'll go far in life."

I nodded, "So, what are you two going to do? It's been so long, you don't have jobs and no place to live..."

Zjaan walked up, "Actually, you're wrong. While you were at school we talked about that and I offered them jobs here. I'm also giving them the empty condo on the floor below mine."

"Wow, really! Thank you so much, Zjaan!"

"No problem," he grinned, "They're really nice people, and they mean a lot to you. It was the least I could do." Zjaan's name was called from across the room, so he excused himself and took his leave. Only a minute or so later, Tiffany and Tyler arrived and sat down, both downing at least half of their drinks I had made for them.

"Ahhh...now that hit the spot..." Tyler sighed, slouching down in his chair.

Tiffany rested her chin on her hand, "Yeah it did."

"So what do you like to do in your free time?" my mother asked us.

"Free time? What free time?" I questioned, "I haven't had free time in awhile. We all work a lot here and for Koenma, other than that we eat and sleep all day, well, that and go to school."

"When I'm not doing anything she mentioned I'm an arcade fanatic and I really enjoy the martial arts," Tyler beamed happily, proud of that fact.

Tiffany laughed at him, "Well, I go to Kuwabara's cat shelter and volunteer my time to help him out and compete in dance and gymnastics."

"I like the night life," I told them, "Other than that I'm a computer program and game hacker and I like causing trouble."

My father looked at me weirdly, "What's a program and game hacker?"

"I hack into programs and games like Adobe Suite and Everquest Online. I steal the access codes and the program installers and distribute them for profit."

"Isn't that illegal?"

"Definitely, but I've never been caught. It's an art, really. Anyway, off that subject, I'm trying to go legit anyway. I make enough money working here so I don't need to keep doing it. I'm thinking of taking up the arcade life like Tyler--"

"You'll never be as good as me," he interrupted with a snort.

I growled loudly, "I didn't say I was gonna be, did I! Now, let me finish my sentence, jerkface. As I was saying, either the arcade business, or start singing on the side of working here and being a Spirit Detective."

"Sounds like a great idea," my mother concurred.

"Thanks," I smiled. That night we went back to our apartment around one since we had to get up to go to school in the morning.

A few months later, life was going pretty normally. I saw my parents daily when I was at work and we went out on the weekends to clubs, restaurants, movies, fights, all kinds of stuff. Then my fun-loving, free life ended and I was summoned before Koenma. I stood in his office quietly as he pulled out a file and showed it to me. "Look at this file... Do you see anything out of the ordinary?"

"That's Keishou's picture... What? It says Keishou Naishin has been seen performing suspicious acts in Makai? I thought he was staying in Ningenkai."

"Well, he didn't," Koenma told me, "I need you to go to Makai and confront him. You two are close friends so I hope you'll be able to talk some sense into him."

I nodded, "Sure, I'll go."

Koenma had me leave immediately, not wanting to waste time with Keishou on the loose. As soon as I entered Makai, I released my wings and opened my Jagan eye. My tattooed guardians began to come to life and released from my arm. The tiger looked over at me, "Something's wrong, I can tell by looking at you."

"Keishou has been witnessed doing suspicious acts here in Makai as of late. I don't know what he's up to exactly, but Koenma wants me to find and confront him about it. I don't know where he is because I can't feel his energy. I want you two to scour the lands and see if you can find him. If so let know and I will be there as soon as possible," I told them, placing my hands on their heads, "Good luck, my guardians."

The Youso Kokuryuhaa and Tora Hino Shiro took off across the bright sky, unsure of what we were up against, just like I was. I sighed and headed east, not sure of what else to do. I eventually stumbled upon an abandoned city I had never seen before during my month long training with Keishou and Hiei. At the back of the city entrance was a humongous castle. The whole city and castle was perfectly preserved, although you could tell the years were taking their toll on the buildings. I looked around, exploring the many houses and buildings that seemed endless.

I entered one home and found a broken picture. I picked it up and dusted it off. I squinted at the faded picture and noticed there were two girls in the picture. Upon further inspection I finally realized who one of the girls was, and my jaw almost fell completely to the floor. I was staring at Izanami with another girl demon. I removed the picture from its frame and turned it around. In scribbled writing it said 'To my best friend, Thalina' and below that it said 'I love you always, no matter what, Izanami'. I smiled as I looked up and saw a spirit before me.

I looked at the picture and back at the spirit, "Thalina, I presume?"

She nodded, "Yes, I am. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for a guy named Keishou Naishin. Did you know Izanami?"

"Yes, we were best friends before she ran off and gave up her demonic powers to become a human. I understand why she did it though...she was in love. That feeling can cause humans and demons alike to do crazy things."

I laughed, "Yeah, it can. Thalina, why are you here?"

"I come here every once and awhile to see our abandoned city and to remember all the memories that were created in these walls."

"I see... You know, Izanami never meant to hurt anyone."

"I know that," she smiled, "I just miss her. After she turned into a human and went to Ningenkai, our kingdom began to fall apart without an heir or heiress to the throne. Soon after a great war started between the four great kingdoms and their subjects. Unfortunately, the subjects won and the kingdoms fell, lifting martial law and causing havoc and chaos to run freely here in Makai. I lost my life soon after during a battle with a group of thieving youkai."

"I am so sorry, Thalina," I replied, "I never thought that this kingdom could fall to such a thing. If I would not have given my blood I could have protected you..."

The spirit's eyes grew wide when I went into my formal speech, "I-Izanami?"

A small smile escaped my lips, "Yes, as with any demon who gives their powers up, mine were reborn into this girl of the present era. Stephanie is the only person I can ever see holding my powerful bloodline and protecting it. She knows her limits, but still pushes herself to the max. Stephanie is not afraid to give her life and sacrifice everything she knows and loves for her friends."

"Wait... Stephanie? Did you not win the Dark Tournament as the leader of Team Kouken Gurentai?"

"That would be me," I beamed, "Izanami sure likes to do that, though."

"What? Go into formal speech?"

"Yeah, she does it often without me even wanting her to. I guess it's okay, though, since sometimes she knows more about a subject than I do. She really likes to give her opinions too..."

Thalina laughed, "That's Izanami for you, she was always getting scolded for speaking her mind at will. She never cared what she said or what kind of consequences it could create for her. I guess that's why we were such good friends, because she wasn't afraid of anything."

"I can vouch for that. Anyway, Thalina, I'm going to go continue to look around and maybe take a peek inside the castle. Oh, and before I go, is it alright if I take this picture with me?"

"Sure, go ahead," she smiled with a nod.

I smiled thankfully and Thalina disappeared, so I took my leave of the home. I continued my searching of more buildings and homes until I finally came upon the large castle. I walked through the broken and rusty gates and into the front courtyard. I had never seen a structure so huge, it was even bigger than the Dark Tournament arenas. I headed up the stairs and upto the overly large wooden doors that lead inside. I cracked one of them open and peeked inside. It was pretty much dark besides the sunlight that shone in from the windows.

Creeping inside, I closed the door behind me and noticed many candle wall hangings lined up along the walls. I put my hands up and snapped my fingers, sending fire shooting throughout the room, lighting all the candles in seconds. The main threshold was a huge room that had hallways leading off in all directions from me and stairs leading up to another floor. I sighed heavily, not sure where to begin. I closed my eyes, "Izanami, you know this castle like the back of your hand; help guide me through this amazing palace of ancient times."

My eyes opened and I saw through her eyes. Memories of people hustling to and fro around the castle began to become appear before my eyes. Seconds later I saw two young girls run past, laughing. I smiled when I noticed that they were Izanami and Thalina. An elderly man dressed sharply walked up, "Ma'am, can I help you?"

"Huh? Are you talking to me?"

He nodded, "Yes, Ma'am. I am the spirit that travels these corridors day in and day out." He turned and pointed to a young gentleman who was running after the girls, "That was I those many years ago. I was the head butler of this castle and the appointed babysitter of the girls."

"Izanami and Thalina?"

"Right again," he replied, "I am Quarin, and I am at your service, Ma'am."

"First off, stop with the fancy name, I'm Stephanie. Anyway, Quarin, can you give me a tour of this castle, please?"

"Of course, right this way," Quarin concurred, "Any particular place you would like to visit first?" I shook my head and he led me down the hall on our right. He showed me the servants' quarters and the kitchen where they cooked. We continued on and eventually ended up circling the entire palace. He then led me down the hallway that was straight in front of the door. I pushed open the doors at the end of the hallway and we were standing in a grand ballroom which was also the throne room. The whole room was still as beautiful as Izanami remembered, except for the layers of dust that covered everything in the whole city. I let my eyes dance around the room, eventually seeing illusions of Izanami's memories of balls and parties that were held there.

I smiled as we left the ballroom and entered the grand dining room which was just about as big as the ballroom. Silver trimmed diningware covered the table. I dusted one of the plates off and stared into it. I looked up as Izanami's memories took control again, showing a huge banquet of people who were visiting their kingdom. Everyone was dressed elegantly, including herself as she sat right next to her father with Thalina. I smiled and let Quarin lead me back into the ballroom and down the hallway.

"Where to next?" I asked him.

"Up the stairs to the second level of the castle," Quarin replied. We climbed the stairs and at the top the hallway split into two directions. "Either way we go will bring us right back here, so where would you like to go first?"

"Um...how about left?" I suggested. He nodded and we began down the left hallway. We walked past many different rooms, two of which were a library and study, but most of them were gorgeous bedrooms for royal guests. Eventually we came upon two large doors. We stopped and I looked at him, "Where do these lead?"

"Go and see, Stephanie," he replied.

I opened the doors and walked inside only to see a gray room with little sunlight. I snapped my fingers and the room lit up. Just by looking around at what was in the room, Izanami's memories did there part and showed me it was her room. I walked over to the desk and mirror where a tiara sat on a satin pillow next to a silk dress. I ran my hand across it and I turned to see Izanami standing before me.

"Is this...?"

"My dress I was supposed to wear on the night I was to be named the future ruler of our kingdom...and the tiara I was going to receive."

"Your parents left this here for you, hoping that one day you would return..."

She smiled, "I did, in you...thank you for this, Stephanie. Seeing my home again means a lot to me."

"You're welcome," I nodded as she disappeared. I returned to the hallway and closed the doors, only to see no one there. Quarin had left and I didn't know where to. I continued down the way we had been heading in hopes of finding him again. I eventually stumbled upon two more large doors that were even bigger than Izanami's. I waited and Izanami's memories told me that it was her mother and father's bedroom. I opened the doors and walked inside. I saw a folded up piece of paper on her mother's desk that was sealed with a wax crest. I picked it up and turned it over. On the front it read 'To Our Beloved Daughter, Izanami'. I turned it back over and opened it, reading what its words said.

"Izanami, our daughter, you have left us alone here in this huge castle, and in doing so you tore our hearts out. We realize now in our last moments alive that you were very much in love with that human and followed your heart. We are very proud of you, and happy you are not hear to witness the horrors we have witnessed during these last few months. I pray that one day you will return here to our castle and find this letter. Izanami, you must beware of the blood of Iroaku. He is a Elemental Demon like yourself, and he is the one who started the great war of the four kingdoms. Beware and stay safe, young one. You father and I love you very much, please remember that we are with you always. Forever, King Rekino and Queen Illyla, your father and mother."

My eyes grew wide as I reread the portion of the letter about 'the blood of Iroaku'. Finally I realized who she was talking about, and the memories that Keishou had banished from my mind came flooding back, "Keishou is the son of Iroaku, Aisoku!"

"Correct, Princess Izanami!" I twirled around and saw him standing there. "I knew if I caused enough ruckus, Koenma would send you to find me and that you would make your way here..." he laughed evilly.

"You...you're the one who sent me out of control and made me kill Jin and Hiei that day!"

He laughed even louder, "You are correct again, Princess. I am surprised it's taken you this long to figure it out. Hiei has pretty much known about me this whole time, while Touya was slowly catching on, as was Kurama. I guess it's too late, though. It's also too bad for you because your guardians are not here to protect you from me!"

I let Izanami's memories show me a way out of the room other than the doors I had come through. I saw her go into a secret passageway that was across the room. I ran over and placed my hand on the stone, causing the door to open. I ran into it and closed it behind me before Aisoku could have the chance to follow me. I began down the spiraling stairs, unsure of where it was going to lead me.

Back in the room Quarin appeared beside Aisoku, "The secret passage will lead her to the kitchen downstairs."

Aisoku grinned, "You have done your job well, old spirit, and have earned your place in hell!"

"What! You promised you wouldn't banish me!" Quarin exclaimed.

"Too bad," the demon boy laughed evilly, throwing his hand out and banishing Quarin to Meikai, the Spirit World of Makai.

When I arrived downstairs I appeared in the kitchen. I couldn't sense Aisoku, but I knew he could hide his spirit energy as easily as I could. I ran through the kitchen door and out onto courtyard outside. I didn't stop to look back as I ran across the barren land, not sure of where Tora Hino Shiro and Youso Kokuryuhaa were. I closed my eyes and concentrated on them, "HELP ME, YOU GUYS!"

"Stephanie, what's wrong!" my tiger replied.

"Keishou is really Iroaku's son, Aisoku!" I cried as I stopped dead in my tracks, for Aisoku was standing right in front of me, "Leave me alone!"

"Not quite, my Princess. You are going to help me take control of the four worlds!"

"NEVER!" I growled, backing away from him.

"You don't really have a choice in the matter!" he cackled, "Mind Control!"

My whole body went numb as I was shoved into the back of my own mind, and he moved in. I couldn't do anything, I couldn't move or speak at all. I realized the only thing I could actually do was speak psychically. All of a sudden I heard my voice, and what it was saying scared me, "Elemental Blood Fusion!"

"Oh no!" I exclaimed as my powers unlocked and my spirit energy skyrocketed. Izanami wasn't even given control of any of my body, Aisoku was completely in control.

"Too bad for you, young Princess, your powers are now mine, and there is nothing you can do about it..."

"YOU BASTARD! TRAITOR!"

Aisoku laughed loudly, "Yes, I am. I have never been on your side. When your parents were turned to stone by Pharin it was under my command, although he did it willingly. After that I took you and pretended to be your friend, creating a false trust between the two of us so I could get closer to you and your friends."

"But why...? I thought that you hated your father!"

"I did, but then I began to realize how correct he was on his quest to take over the worlds, except went about it in the completely wrong way. Why try and defeat the guardians of the worlds when you can use the most powerful elemental demonic blood of the Eastern Kingdom of Air?"

"Your father... He was the one who started the great war!"

"And once again she is correct, you are catching on very quickly, princess... Now, time to sleep..." He stared deep into my eyes and all of a sudden I fell asleep and I could not wake myself back up.

The next thing I knew I was awoken by a cold nose. I reached up and touched my tiger's head with a smile. I stood up and he looked at me weirdly. "Are you alright? What happened to Aisoku?"

"I'm fine, but he got away..." I trailed off with a grin. My eyes turned white, including my Jagan, and the Tora Hino Shiro and Youso Kokuryuhaa fell under Aisoku's control as well. I released my wings and flew up onto the back of the dragon and we flew off into sky, the tiger following below us. I could feel Aisoku, he was calling to me because he was hunting a demon that he wanted me to take care of personally.

In Reikai, Koenma called Botan, Yukina, Kurama, and Rinku to his office. They walked in and closed the door behind them. The four of them could tell something was wrong, and Botan was of course the one to ask, "Koenma, what's going on? Why did you call us all in here?"

"It's Stephanie..."

"What's wrong with her?" Rinku questioned.

"Keishou..." Kurama trailed off.

Koenma nodded, "Keishou is the son of Iroaku, his real name is Aisoku. He wants to rule the worlds more than his father did, and he's going to use the elemental blood inside of Stephanie to do it."

"What can we do?" Yukina asked, worried.

"Locate Jin, Touya, Tyler, and Tiffany, and find Aisoku in Makai. Our time is short, so make haste!" Koenma ordered.

"Yes, Koenma," they replied as they left the office.

Koenma turned and looked out the window of his office, "Izanami...please be careful..."

Back in Makai, Hiei and Goukaryuu had come to a stop on their journey. A deep growl escaped from Hiei's throat, "Something's wrong... I can't feel Stephanie's energy anymore..." Gouka looked up at him with a worried look on his face. Hiei sighed, "Yeah, I know Gouka, but I can't seem to put my finger on it...what could have happened to her? She must be in some sort of trouble..."

Minutes later, Hiei sensed Aisoku flying towards him at an amazing speed. He jumped down from the tree he was in as Aisoku came into view. Aisoku stopped about ten feet from the fire youkai, a grin spreading across his face, "Well, well, what do we have here?"

"What are you doing here!"

The elemental demon snickered, "I came to see you, Jaganshi."

Hiei growled once again, "What have you done with Stephanie!"

"Why do you care?" he replied, a gleam in his eyes.

"WHAT IN THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER!" the fire youkai exclaimed.

"Calm down, Jaganshi, she is fine...well, sort of, anyway..."

"I'll kill you if you've harmed her!"

"Heh, you can't kill me, besides, Stephanie doesn't like you at all, Hiei. She used you and stole your powers of the Jagan and then used you to bring our team to victory in the Dark Tournament."

"LIER!"

Author's note:

The statement of being a hacker and hacking into Adobe Suite and Everquest Online is not true about me. My character is a "hacker" and so I gave legit program/game names. I would never think of ripping of either company because I love their programs and game so much. Well, I guess it doesn't help the only thing I can hack is a piece of wood with an ax. So, please, don't sue me! ()