By Sakura Takanouchi
~*~ Winds of Thyme: The Sequel Chapter Five: To The Test ~*~
Disclaimer: Pete and repeat were sitting on a fence. Pete fell off, who was left?
Disclaimer: Pete and repeat were sitting on a fence. Pete fell off, who was left?
Disclaimer: Pete and repeat were sitting on a fence. Pete fell off, who was left?
Sakura: *twitches* …………
"Hey, Kyoko, how's it going with those guys?" The same youkai from before stepped into the hallway.
"Fine. They're sleeping like babies," Sakura smiled.
"Well, I want you to meet the newest member of our team. She's temporary, too." The youkai walked further down the hallway, and Sakura noticed someone was behind her.
"Kyoko, this is Mukuro. Ya know, the one who owns the land we're standing on?" She said. Mukuro just stared in comtempt at 'Kyoko'.
"Nice to meet you…Kyoko," She said.
"You too, Mukuro," Sakura answered.
"Wel, that's settled, so now I'm moving you to guard objects for today, Kyoko, and Mukuro's going to take over your shift. It'll only be for a day, so you get a nice change of pace.
"Cool. I've finally got them somewhat under control. I wonder how they'll react to new prey?" Sakura tried to intimidate Mukuro. It wasn't working.
The youkai led Sakura out of the hallway and into a totally different one. It held so many objects of both darkness and light, some looking powerful and some looking like they came from Koenma's office.
"Here it is. The Tree of Life. Something special, huh?" She asked. Sakura stared at the object. It had already begun to bear fruit, but to her displeasure, nothing could be told by the colorless fruit no bigger than a ring.
"I'm guarding this?" Sakrua asked.
"Yes, and it is extremely rare, so I suggest you do not let anyone near it." The youkai left her alonein the hallway, and Sakura stared once more at the little object that had started this whole mission. Then she got out her magazine and started to read.
~*~ With Mukuro, Hiei, and Kurama ~*~
"So, you two decided to come in early?" Mukuro asked them.
"They did, and with godd reason and good planning," Kurama answered softly.
"You're listening to her? Well, at least let me hear your plan," Mukuro said.
"We're listening to her since she has the best ideas, and I won't tolerate it if you continue to speak ill of her!" Kurama said fiercely.
"Relax, youko. Just tell me the plan," Mukuro replied.
"The day of the anbu shijou, Sakura's going to make sure she's transporting us to the marketplace location. She will go last or close to last. When we are alone on the path, she will cut our bindings and we'll leave. Simple as that," he said.
"What about the tree?" She asked.
"That will be you and Yusuke's job," Hiei interrupted. "I will expect you to follow the same guidelines of our plan, except with the tree. The rendezvous point is your mansion. When we meet there, we'll plant the tree."
Mukuro nodded. "And if this one fails..?" She asked.
"It won't, and if it does, we'll make something up," Hiei answered.
~*~ Several Days Later ~*~
"Hey, Mukuro, we're doubling shift on the Tree of Life, so you'll be getting a partner," A demon informed her. Mukuro nodded. The demon beckoned for someone to walk forward, and to her surprise, Urameshi Yusuke sauntered down the hallway.
"Well, if it isn't Ms. High-and-Mighty Mukuro, glad to meetcha," Yusuke held out his hand as if meeting her for the first time. Mukuro didn't shake it.
"I guess I'll leave now," The demon said, and left. Mukuro turned towards Yusuke.
"And you're here because…?"She asked.
"I thought I'd drop by and join the party. So this is that thing which started all this," Yusuke stared at the tiny tree, whose fruit still wasn't recognizable.
~*~ The night of the Anby Shijou ~*~
"Let's get a move on and carry this stuff up the mountain," Sakura said as she walked over to the youkai she had spoken to on the first day.
"Sure. We're putting you in the middle so you can guard the tree and those two demons. A backup group'll surround you in the forest so nothing happens on the trip. Hurry up and meet the team you'll be working with. They're guarding the tree now." The youkai turned and led Sakura down another hallway.
Sakura's eyes widened in surprise as she faced Yusuke and Mukuro, chatting about various happenings in the demon realm. "This is Kyoko, who is guarding two dangerous demons over in hallway #15. She'll be you guys' partner when we get this stuff up the mountain. Get aquainted, and then get the tree and those demons out into the main lobby." The youkai turned and walked back down the hallway.
"So, who bets I can guess the two 'dangerous demons'?" Yusuke asked.
"Very funny. Listen. Our plans are screwed. There's some auxiliary groups hidden in the forest as we transport the goods as further protection, and there's no way they're going to sit back as we steal the tree," Sakura told them.
"I told you so," Mukuro quipped.
"So I guess we'll just let Hiei free himself and Kurama out of their cage, and we'll fight all who oppose us until they'res none left," Sakura continued.
"Sounds like a plan," Yusuke said.
"Go back to those dangerous demons and tell them the new plan," Mukuro ordered. "Me and Yusuke will get the tree to the lobby."
Sakura nodded, and headed for her hallway. She got to the lobby, and froze. Hiei and Kurama were already there, in a new cell, but girls surrounded them!
"Break up the party! Hey, youkai lady, what's with the fan club? These are dangerous lumps of flesh here!" Sakura waved her arms and the flock of girls started to disperse.
"But they're soooooo hot!" One of the girls said.
"Whatever blondie," Sakura replied. "Okay, demon-dudes, you're going up the mountain!"
Hiei feigned hostility and Kurama feigned carelessness. Joined by Yusuke, Sakura got the cage outside and started up the mountain.
"Hey, Kurama, the plan's screwed. We're busting you out at the anbu shijou." Hiei's gaze was averted to the trees, sensing the prescence now among them.
"So, how's the transportation of the tree going?" Sakura asked.
"Fine, Mukuro's on it," Yusuke jerked his head back, motioning that Mukuro was trailing them.
"So, demon-dudes, ready to be auctioned or sold or shot at or whatver is done to you guys?" Sakura asked. Neither of them answered.
"They're going to be sold to demons who specialize in collections, or trained in combat for their personal armies," Mukruo's voice carried through the trail.
"Fancy that," Sakura commented. "I've heard of a guy who buys demons for collections." She turned towards Hiei. "You're one unlucky demon-dude. You'll be locked up, no sunshine, and be subjected to the most awful tests." Hiei's eyes suddenly focused on her.
"How did you know that?" He demanded.
"Ya know, been there, seen that. I've got connections." Sakura replied.
"Really?" Yusuke asked.
"Nah, just assumed that's what would happen." She replied.
"You must assume a lot."
"Exactly."
They were walking for quite awhile. Hiei wasn't alert to the trees, and Kurama seemed to have dozed off.
"Hey, maybe we can sneak away now," Yusuke started, but he was interrupted by the sight that lay before them.
The Anbu Shijou!
~A/N~
'Sup, minna? Sorry I haven't updated for awhile. Shijou arc's coming to a close this month, I promise. W00t! I started a pop group manga centered on a suicidal waitress! …Fun stuff, I tell ya. I'm forever starting manga, so just never mind me. Unless you're a manga publisher. Then REVIEW!!! I knew I could squeeze that in there somewhere.
Jingle Bells and peanut shells,
Saku
--Never mind me. I'm a Christmas nut, too.