Disclaimer: I don't own them now and I never did.
Chapter Eleven: On The Path
It was quiet, dark and an unsettling breeze brushed past the group that had just stepped onto the path leading to a large stone structure belonging to Naizen Arishima. The building was huge and stood out predominantly amongst the green forest surrounding it.
Genkai was the first to step onto the path. She gave a quick glance over her shoulder at the others and they moved into position, effectively boxing Kyo in and protecting him from any possibly attack. Yusuke and Hiei took the front, Touya and Kuwabara the sides and Kurama and Botan took up the rear.
They kept their eyes open. Although it was silent now, undoubtedly it wouldn't be that way for long. It was just a tactic to keep them on edge. Of course, this group was well prepared and ready for any surprise attacks.
The silence was getting to Yusuke, who had started mumbling random obscenities just to break the monotony. He was itching to kick something, anything, to let out the anger and frustration he was feeling. No one messed with a friend of Yusuke Urameshi and got away with it.
"I think you got them all, dimwit." Genkai was slightly amused by Yusuke's foul mouth.
"Very funny, grandma." Yusuke bit back, not amused at all by her comment.
"Are you always that disrespectful?" Kyo glared at the back of Yusuke's head. Yusuke shrugged his shoulders and glanced back.
"What's it to you, old man?"
"Stop this now before it escalates." Genkai cut in, "I know the two of you very well and I don't want to listen to the arguing. Let's just focus on this mission and get Etsuko back safely."
"Feh, whatever." Yusuke shoved his hands into his pockets and continued walking.
It was too quiet for Hiei. He had a strong urge to hurry on ahead, but knew that it would be best to stay behind with the others. Etsuko would want him to help protect her father. This caused him to grumble a few times himself.
"So, Kyo, how much do you know about Naizen Arishima? What should we be prepared for?" Kurama questioned the older man, "Aside from his generals that I'm sure we'll encounter soon enough."
"I'm sure you've heard how ruthless he is." Kyo began and continued after Kurama nodded, "He doesn't care who gets hurt as long as things go his way. He'll kill everything and everyone. He really will kill her without hesitation if we can not get to him. I fear for her life."
"I assure you again. We are strong enough to save her." Yusuke bit back. He glanced at Hiei and saw nothing but clouded emotions brewing in his deadly crimson eyes. They needed to keep Kyo quiet before Hiei decided to shut him up himself.
"I trust you." Kyo bowed his head, "If my daughter trusts you and Touya trusts you then I will as well."
"It's alright, Kyo." Touya touched Kyo's shoulder gently and gave a small smile when the older man looked his way.
There was a loud roar and the crackling of wood being splintered as demons of all shapes and sizes thundered there way through the forest towards their intended targets. An evil smirk crossed Hiei's lips causing Genkai to shudder. These weak demons had no clue what they were about to get into and for a brief moment she pitied them.
"You four stick with Kyo." Genkai gave a quick command to Touya, Kuwabara, Kurama and Botan. Kurama shoved Botan closer to Kyo in order to shield her from the oncoming threat.
Hiei had unsheathed his katana and obliterated a dozen demons within a mere couple of seconds. Other demons hesitated. This was not what they had been expecting. Yusuke and Genkai took down any demons that had stopped to contemplate if they were stupid enough to challenge the pissed off demon with a katana. It didn't matter what they did, Hiei was taking down anything in his way.
Kyo stood in awe of Hiei's raw power and aggression. This display definitely set him more at ease. This one would not hold back either. He was just as ruthless as Naizen, but he was on their side.
Hiei took the lives of the few remaining demons around them. He snarled ferociously as he ran his katana straight through the very last demon's heart. With no remorse what-so-ever he withdrew the weapon and turned away to face his teammates.
"Let's go." He commanded and continued walking.
"Hiei, wait." Kurama called out with a serious tone and Hiei turned to glare at him, "Calm down, Hiei and breathe."
"We do not have time to waste, Fox."
"I'm aware of that, but it's foolish to run in without first thinking."
Hiei lowered his eyes and fell back in stride with the rest of the group. Kurama was right, he needed to calm down.
They walked on in silence, Kurama watching his friend closely. There was definite confusion raging inside Hiei. Kurama knew it wasn't going to be pretty when Hiei realized why he was acting the way he was, but he also wanted Hiei to get it out. They needed him to be clear headed going into this fight and a distracted Hiei was a bad thing.
An evil, cackling laughter rang out through the empty path. The group stopped and watched their surroundings.
"Up there!" Botan pointed to a tree off to the right where Naoko sat waiting on a low branch and Tomo stood below her at the base.
"Who are you?" Yusuke yelled out and stepped in front of his teammates.
"Welcome to your doom detective." Naoko grinned malevolently at Yusuke and at his companions. She flexed her long, sharp claws, "We expected you to pass our underlings and much to my delight you made it here. Which one of you will be my first victim?"
"She is Naoko. The only female of the four generals." Kyo said loudly, "The demon below her is Tomo, a toad demon who is a master of water."
"Kyo, Kyo, Kyo, it's been so long since I last saw you." Naoko smiled, "Your daughter is quite, how should I put it, delectable looking. I'm curious though, does her blood taste more like yours or her wrinkled old hag of a mother? No matter, I'll find out soon enough."
Naoko leapt down from the tree and landed silently next to Tomo. She gave a grin to the toad demon who bowed and motioned for her to go ahead and step forward. He would gladly allow her to go first.
"Listen lady, you do not stand a chance." Yusuke cracked his knuckle.
"I'll take you each one by one if that is fine with you." Naoko readied her sword, "How about we start with the pretty little blue-haired girl. She seems like a good enough opponent to start with."
It was Kurama's turn to growl and he shoved Botan protectively behind him.
"Kurama?" Botan said his name quietly and nervously.
"Just stay behind me." he answered and narrowed his eyes on Naoko, "You will start with me and leave her alone."
"Possessiveness! I like it! I'll save her for later then!" Naoko laughed, "Very well, red, you first!"
"Fine. Yusuke, Hiei, please keep an eye on Botan." Kurama stepped forward and removed a single red rose from his long red hair. The rose extended and in his hand he held his usual weapon of a rose whip.
Naoko swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat the second she caught the eyes of the man she was about to face. They held an intensity and seriousness in them that frightened her greatly. She pushed her fear aside and charged. One way or another she knew she had to beat him and his friends. Or else, she'd never be able to prove to Naizen just how much he meant to her.
