AN: I am so happy to be able to finally post this chapter. My computer crashed three weeks ago and I just got it back eariler this week. I'm sorry you guys had to wait so long for the next part of this story, but at last it's here. I hope you enjoy it.
PS: I really missed you guys.
Hope you all enjoy this chapter,
Yami
Chapter Six
Early one morning I was summoned to Koemna's office. I hoped that the news would be good, for he had not done so before. "I finally have some good news for you Hiei," the toddler prince said the moment I entered the office. "My people were able to discover the location of the second gauntlet," He informed me as he set a map in front of me. There, marked on the map was the location of the gauntlet. "It will take you a day and a half to get there at your top speed," he said as he handed me a small square shaped device. "If there is any change in Kurama's condition I will contact you with this," he informed me. "Should you run into any trouble, or wish to contact me for any reason, press this button and you will be in immediate contact with me," he instructed as he pointed out the button in question. "Press this one if it beeps to receive transmission," he instructed as he pointed out the second button and I nodded to show I understood. "Good luck Hiei," Koemna said. He knew I wanted to get going as soon as I could so he had kept the meeting short.
I left Koemna's office and returned to my mate's side to say goodbye. I approached the bed and sat down beside my mate. I kissed his lips, and brushed a strand of silver hair out of his face. "Fox, Koemna found the other gauntlet. I'm going to get it now. I'll be back as soon as I can," I murmured in his ear. I kissed his rose petal soft lips once more and headed toward the door. I was pleased to see a small pack waiting for me there. Everything I would need for my short journey was there. As I put the pack onto my back and started on my way, I hoped that I would return with the gauntlet before it was too late.
Kurama's rose whip smashed into the stone floor, slicing a massive chunk out of it. Makoto laughed as he flipped out of the way, avoiding the debris that scattered about. Vines shot out toward Kurama. My mate erected a barrier of bamboo to block his foe's attack. "You are growing silver one. Your movements are getting slower and pretty soon your reaction time will slow as well. Face it, it won't be long before I have won," Makoto taunted. "Why not surrender now and be done with it? I may even let you play with that delectable toy of yours from time to time," Kurama's golden eyes blazed with anger as an animalistic growl tore from his throat. "Hiei is not a toy, he is my mate," Kurama responded icily, his golden eyes gleaming with malice.
Makoto laughed. "Not that it really matters, soon he will be mine," he vowed as a monstrous plant erupted from the ground. It's massive thorns were easily the size of the blade of my katana and the leaves were easily as wide as I was tall and then some. Smaller vine like appendages grew from it and darted out toward my mate. He leapt, twisted, and flipped to avid them as well as the razor sharp thorns of the larger branches that swooped toward him.
I blinked, not realizing I had closed my eyes until that moment. I must have fallen asleep, but that could not have been a mere dream. What I had seen was my mate's fight to keep his own body. I wished him luck, and hoped he would hang in there as I stood to my feet to resume my journey. I trudged on through the dense forest, making my way toward the mark upon my map. I hurried, wanting to be back with my mate. I pushed myself to my limits, resting for only short periods of time. For that reason, I reached my destination in a day's time.
I checked the place on the map a second time, then looked up at the cave looming before me. This was definitely the spot marked on the map. I tucked it away and reached up to undo the bandanna covering my jagon. Before I could do so, a figure emerged from the cave.
A female with the wings and ears of a bat stepped from the shadows. She was beautiful with indigo hair and dark gray eyes. "What brings you here little firefly?" she asked. I wanted to tell her that my business was my own, but I knew that would get me nowhere. I had a feeling that finding the gauntlet depended upon my answer. "I'm looking for a gauntlet, the match to the one my mate now wears," I answered. "Why have you come seeking the gauntlet?" she asked. Again, I resisted the urge to tell her to mind her own business and answer her question. "To save my mate's life," She nodded, a mysterious smile upon her well formed lips. "Come, I know of the gauntlet you seek," she said then turned and went into the cave.
I followed her into the cave, creating a fireball in the palm of my hand to light my way. "Who are you?" I asked. "That is a profound question you ask, one few of us ever find the answer to, yet all of us seek to find," she replied. I groaned mentally. "You sound like my mate when he gets into his philosophical mood," I groused. She laughed. "I shall help you save your mate then, for I'd very much like to meet him," she replied.
We finally arrived in a large chamber filled with all sorts of objects. It looked like someone had been hording things for centuries. It would take quite a while to find anything in this mess. My partner at the moment pulled a device from the pouch on her side and turned it on. She stepped deeper into the room. A short while later she stopped put the device back into her pouch. "It lies here somewhere," she said and knelt, digging into the pile at her feet. I joined her thinking it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
The two of us searched for what seemed hours. Suddenly, there it was at my fingertips and I picked it up. "I see you have found what you sought," she said. I gave a slight nod, then turned to leave the cave.
I wanted to rush back to my mate's side. However, it was dark when I exited the cave. It was well into the night and I would have to wait until first light before I could resume my journey. Patience has definitely not been one of my strong points, but I could not risk moving through the forest during the night. There were creatures, demons and apparitions that hunted at night and the last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself. Having to fight would slow me down considerably more than waiting for sunrise.
The female who had accompanied me into the cave had seemingly vanished. I realized with a start that she had not even told me her name. I gave no more thought to the matter and sat down with my back against the rough bark of a towering pine. I took some food from my pack and ate a light meal. Once I had finished my food, I leaned back against the trunk and closed my eyes.
Kurama lashed out at his opponent, the razor sharp branches of the tree he had grown barreled toward Makoto. Unfortunately Makoto evaded the attack, but just barely. "You're at the end of your rope Silver One. Your end won't be long," Makoto taunted. "You're strength is waning as well Makoto," Kurama responded. "Perhaps, but this battle shall soon be over," Makoto responded. "Yes," Kurama agreed, "It will soon be over," he echoed as the sharp branches slashed the blood haired yoko, creating a large clawlike slash across his chest.
The beeping of the communicator roused me from my vision. I opened my eyes and quickly opened the communicator. I was irritated that it had cheated me out of learning my mate's fate and fearful that something had happened. I pushed the button Koemna had instructed me to and at once the toddler ruler's face was on the screen.
"Hiei, I'm sorry to have awakened you, but I've got some very good news for you," he said. "What is it?" I asked. "Kurama is awake," Koemna answered. "What?" I exclaimed. "He woke just a few moments ago," Koemna informed me. "I'm on my way," I said then shut the device off and dashed off into the twilight.
It was just past dawn when I arrived at Koemna's palace. I entered the room I'd shared with my mate. His golden eyes were upon me the moment I stepped into the room. I was at his side in a heartbeat. Joy flooded through me at seeing him awake again. Despite the fact he was finally awake he looked exhausted.
He lifted his arm with obvious effort and caressed my cheek with his hand. "I'm afraid I may have to leave you after all Darkfire," he said sorrowfully, his voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean?" I demanded as fear spread through me like wildfire. "I'm weary Love. Makoto has battled me relentlessly for what seems an eternity and I fear I haven't the strength to win," He replied. I started at him, unable to believe the words that had fallen from his lips. "I have the gauntlet Fox," I told him. Hope shone in his eyes as he held out his arm to me. "Put it on me quickly," he responded. I took his hand and slid the gauntlet onto his wrist and closing it with a soft click.
Nothing happened. Kurama's eyelids began to droop. He struggled to sit up some but I pushed him gently back to the bed, leaning close as I did so. He raised his head and captured my lips with his. It is impossible for me to describe what the kiss was like. I could feel the emotion behind it as clearly as if it were my own. It was breaking his heart, but he knew he was loosing the fight with Makoto and soon would no longer exist. It was his way of telling me goodbye, that he loved me and didn't want to leave me, and that he did not regret choosing me as his mate.
A moment later he broke the kiss and slipped back into unconsciousness once more. "Kurama, wake up," I cried, sharking his shoulder. I got no response. The fear began to consume me now, quickly becoming desperation as I tried in vain to rouse my unconscious mate. "Don't leave me," I cried
The word around me faded and I saw my mate entangled in Makoto's vines, the thorns piercing his pale skin, draining away his life. I screamed his name, wanting to rescue him. However, as with all the other times my body would not move. I couldn't do anything but watch in horror as the vines entombed my mate like a cocoon around a caterpillar.
I came back to reality and Immediately, I felt sick to my stomach. I dashed for the bathroom, where I emptied my stomach. A moment later, I felt a cool cloth upon my forehead. "What happened?" Botan asked softly. "The gauntlet didn't work," I answered. She said nothing. She simply removed the cloth from my forehead and cleaned my face with it.
"Kurama is dying and I could not save him," I said softly. I opened my eyes and Botan helped me to stand. Koemna was standing at the doorway. "Why didn't it work?" I demanded. "Why didn't it save him?" Koemna shook his head sadly. "I don't know," he answered. Rage swept through me, followed quickly by sorrow, pain, grief and despair. I was angry at myself for not being able to save my mate. I was angry at Koemna for not knowing why the gauntlet did not remove the bastard that had possessed my mate, and I was angry at Makoto for possessing him in the first place. I felt ill and slumped against Botan.
"You really should rest," she said softly. I said nothing and allowed her to lead me to another guest room. I don't really remember lying down on the bed, but I awoke lying on the bed in my new quarters. All of my things had been moved into the room. I must have passed out, for I remembered nothing after Botan had brought me in here. I still felt queasy but I got up and headed for Koemna's office.
I didn't find him there, but in the library instead with a large stack of books sitting in front of him, a frown upon his face. "I believe I discovered the cause of the problem," he said as he looked up at me. "There is an incantation that activates the gauntlet," he informed me. "Where is the incantation?" I asked. "You will have to look into Makoto's memories to find it. Karasu did not write the spell down in any book nor passed it on to anyone I know of," I gave a slight nod as Koemna studied me intently for a moment. "You really don't look well at all. You should have one of the healers look at you, or at least let Botan take a look," he commented. "Not until I get Kurama back," I responded.
At that moment, Botan entered the library. "Please Hiei, Let me take a look at you. He's right; you really don't look well "You don't look well. Let me see if I can help," she said. I didn't see the harm in it. I was growing tired of the constant nausea that now plagued me. If she could get rid of it, it would be all the better for me. I felt awful and if she could help, I was all for it.
I gave a slight nod in consent. Botan guided me back to my room, and motioned for me to sit on the bed. She sat beside me and extended her hands. I felt her energy wash over me. When it faded I looked at her expectantly.
"Hiei, what do you know about fire apparitions?" she asked. "Nothing," I answered, wondering what that had to do with anything. "You see, like ice apparitions the fire apparitions also choose to live apart from others. They're a colony of all male apparitions. However, some of them have the ability to change genders for reproductive purposes. I believe that is what is happening to you," Botan explained.
I stared at her dumbfounded. For a few moments I was completely at a loss for words. Would things get even worse before thy got better? This had to be punishment for lives Kurama and I had led for so long before coming into Koemna's employ.
"You said it would last for a short amount of time, how long?" I questioned. "I'm not really sure," she replied. "Since you're not a full blooded fire apparition I can only guess. Maybe a week, two at the most," Botan responded.
I groaned as pain flooded through me again. I really didn't need this. I had enough to worry about in restoring my mate and caring for him until he was restored. Now, I didn't know how I was going to save my mage. I could hardly move without pain shooting throughout my whole body. "Lie down, I'll get you something to ease the pain," Botan said softly as she gently guided me to lie down. I complied. She then left the room. It seemed a long while before she returned, though in fact it was probably only a few minutes. She injected me with something and before long the pain began to ebb
"I have some good news. Koemna has located a rare ancient spellbook that may contain the spell Karasu used on Makoto. He has someone retrieving it as we speak," she informed me. That was indeed good news. My mate could still be saved. "You may still need to use your jagon to determine the exact spell used," she said. "When you're feeling better of course," she added. I made a low murmur of agreement as my eyelids began to close of their own accord. I was feeling exhausted. In no time I was drifting toward the blissful release of sleep.
I awoke sometime later feeling stronger and more refreshed. I decided it a good time to try and use my jagon to find the spell that would free my mate from Makoto's grasp.
I raised my hand to undo the bandanna covering my third eye. I felt my third eye open as I slowly closed my natural eyes. I concentrated deeply, searching for the bastard that had taken my mate from me.
Before long, I found him and easily connected with his mind. It didn't take me long to find what I was looking for. I imagine one's death by betrayal would be at the forefront of anyone's mind. The moment I found it, I was drawn into the memory.
Karasu lay entwined with his lover. Mokoto's moans filled the air as he neared his completion. Suddenly Karasu increased his already mad rhythm, making Makoto moan even louder. Karasu began speaking softly and with a start I knew it was the spell. I listened carefully committing each word to memory, hoping it would stick long enough for me to do the job. Makoto was oblivious to what was going on, writhing and panting beneath his lover like a wanton whore. At the conclusion of the spell Makoto cried out in ecstasy as he finally reached his release. However it turned to a cry of horror as in the next heartbeat, Karasu plunged a wicked looking dagger into his heart. Karasu withdrew from his lover without an ounce of care, adding to Makoto's agony. Without a word the raven haired demon dressed and left the room. The vision then began to blur and fade and as it faded completely to nothing I heard an explosion.
I was horrified, sickened at what I had witnessed. Koemna had told me that Makoto's murder had been vicious but I would have never imagined that. Botan was looking at me with a worried expression as I opened my eyes. I swiftly brushed past her and into the bathroom where my body attempted to rid itself of everything that would have been in my stomach, had it not been empty.
Botan rubbed my back soothingly. Soon the nausea passed and I was able to sit up again. "What happened?" she asked. "I found the spell I need to save Kurama, if it isn't already too late," I answered. "What did you see?" she asked eagerly, naturally wanting all the details. I looked her strait in the eyes. "Believe me, you do not want to know," I said. Her eyes widened.
She quickly got to her feet. "I'm going to get you something to calm your stomach," she said softly as she helped me to my feet. "I've got no time for that, I need to save Kurama before it's too late," I responded. "You need to rest little firefly, for you will need your strength to free your mate," came a familiar voice from the doorway.
The female apparition that I had met at the caves stood there, leaning in the doorframe. Botan blinked at her in surprise. "Sakuya? Is that you?" she asked. The apparition smiled and her form shifted and shimmered for a moment. The female with bat ears and wings was suddenly a yoko vixen, with long hair colored the reds and golds of flames. "Why are you here?" Botan asked in surprise. "You aren't due back for another three days," "I came to see if the firefly here had saved his mate. Judging by what I see, I'd say things aren't going so well," Sakuya answered. "No, they're not," Botan responded.
Sakuya turned to me. "You really should rest now," she said to me as she entered the bathroom. She took my hand and led me back into the bedroom. I don't know why I followed her but I did, feeling calmer as I neared the bed.
I sat down and Sakuya sat on the side of the bed with me. She pulled a very large book into her lap. "Just who are you anyway?" I asked. Her eyes sparkled with mischievousness and I was afraid she would answer me the same way she had before. "I am Sakuya, the sprit detective of the Makai," she answered. "I brought this in hopes that it would help," she said as she stood and placed the large book in my lap. "It's a book of spells, a very old one. When I saw the gauntlet you had journeyed to retrieve in order to save your mate, I thought this might be of some help," she explained.
"See if you can recognize the spell that was originally used," Sakuya said. I opened the large book and thumbed through it for a few minutes before I found the spell I was looking for. Sakuya looked at it over my shoulder. "That particular spell requires caution," she said somberly. I looked at her with an expression that clearly said that she needed to explain herself further.
"This spell will lock one of the souls trapped within the body of your mate. You must not let the fiend substitute your mate for himself," She warned. "How am I to do that?" I asked. She held something out to me. It looked like a pair of sprit cuffs, like the ones Yusuke had worn during his battle with Tuguro. "These will bind the intruding soul to your mate's body so that you can safely use the spell," Sakuya answered. "Draw out the intruder and place these upon your mate's body once you have done so. They will keep him from putting your mate in harm's way," I took the cuffs from her and set them on the nightstand. Sakuya stood. "Good luck Firefly," she said then headed out the door. Without a word, Botan left as well.
I sat deep in thought. Drawing Makoto seemed an easy task. For one thing, I knew taking over Kurama's body was something he wanted in the first place. The other thing he wanted was me. I doubted it would take much to persuade him to take over my mate's body once more.
I laid down and closed my eyes. I raised my hand and pushed away the cloth covering my third eye. I once more found myself in my mate's mind. The lush and beautiful garden I had expected to find myself in was nearly dead. All the once beautiful flowers were withered and dried up, the grass brown and dead, the trees leafless and hollow looking. The beautiful stream had long dried up the earth that had once been the river's bed dried and cracked. My heart raced. I was almost certain that I was too late to save my mate.
I felt my mate reach out to me and hope fluttered within me. I followed his unspoken call. The center of the garden was not yet dead. However, it was still dying. Immediately I saw the mass of vines that I had seen Makoto wrap my mate in. I drew my sword and began slashing at the mass of green thorny vines. After what seemed an eternity, I reached my mate and cut him free. I had to burn away the few vines that still clung to him, before I could pull him free of his bonds. I laid him gently on the ground. "Fox," I cried as I tried to awaken him. He didn't move. My mouth went dry. I shook him harder, desperately wanting to awaken him. Finally, he opened his eyes slowly. "Hiei?" he murmured weakly. "Yes Fox, it's me," I replied.
"I feel so weak," he murmured. "You will need to draw from me," I said. "I will weaken you if I do that," He responded. "It will kill me if you allowed yourself to die to prevent that," I said. Kurama raised his eyes to meet mine. He gave me a small smile. "I never could say no to you," he murmured as he closed his eyes and leaned into my embrace. I allowed some of my energy to flow into him, strengthening him. A moment later, I felt him gently push against me. "Enough love. Don't give me more than you can spare," he said softly. I nodded and slowed the flow of energy between us until it ceased.
"I found the way to get rid of Makoto," I said. "Good," he responded. "How can I help?" He asked. I could feel Makoto approaching and so did my mate. "I have to persuade him to take over your body so that I can use the spell that will rid us of him," I explained. "Just help keep him bound until it's over," "Alright," Kurama agreed. "It is best that Makoto thinks that I will not last much longer," He added. I nodded in agreement. "Cradle my head in your lap," he suggested. I did as he asked and he closed his eyes and slowed his breathing.
Makoto appeared a moment later, looming over me as I smoothed my mate's long silver hair. "Well, it looks as though the silver one has left you all alone," Makoto purred. I turned to look at him over my shoulder. Makoto's eyes were sparkling with triumph. He knelt beside me and tucked one finger under my chin, tilting my face to his. "It won't be long now. Soon you will be all mine," he said, his eyes shining with lust.
I knew then the easiest and fastest way to end this was to make Makoto believe he was going to get what he wanted, namely me. I only had to seduce him and I would be rid of him. I just hoped when it was all over Kurama wouldn't end up hating me. For the moment, I could not worry about what the future held. I had to save my mate and rid us of this nescience.
"Why wait?" I said to Makoto. The yoko with the blood red hair looked at me with unveiled surprise. "You have won, why should you have to wait to claim your prize," I continued. " You would give up on your mate so easily? I could hardly believe that, since he has told me more times than I care to count that you would not give up," he responded. "There is nothing more I can do for him now," I said softly. "I have said my goodbyes and I'm ready to face my fate," I added. I kissed Kurama's petal soft lips and gently laid his head upon the ground. I turned to Makoto and leaned close. I took a deep breath and pressed a chaste kiss to his rough lips. "Come and claim what is yours," I said softly, then stood and disconnected myself from my mate's mind.
I snapped out of my trance and sat up, looking around as I did so. It was dark; the sun must have set long ago. I took a deep breath and steeled myself for what I was about to do. It didn't take long for Makoto to arrive. He entered the room moment's later shutting the door behind him with an almost inaudible click. I sat back, holding myself up with my arms as he approached the bed. I locked my eyes with his as he climbed onto the bed. "Well, it looks like it's time to claim my prize," Makoto said. "Yes," I agreed closing my hands upon the cuffs. He pounced then, catching me off guard. I found myself on my back with Makoto eagerly trying to remove my shirt.
Taking advantage of his distraction, I flipped us over so that I was on top. I grasped his hands, and guided them so he extended his arms over his head. I distracted him further by nipping and nibbling at his neck, trailing kisses down to his throat. Quickly, I slipped the cuffs on his writs, just below his gauntlets. I wasn't sure what to do next, I didn't have anything to tie him down and I was sure he wasn't going to just allow me to complete both spells without a fight.
I could feel Kurama's presence in the back of my mind. It was oddly comforting. My mate wanted to help and let me know it without words. In the same way I consented and I could feel him within me as though his spirit were gently holding mine. I felt his power flow through me and watched with satisfaction and surprise as the vines growing outside, slipped in through the window and swiftly grabbed hold of Makoto's wrists and ankles, binding him immediately.
I sat up strait then and recited the incantation that would lock the cuffs in place. Makoto started to struggle against the bonds as I finished the spell. "Calm him, those bonds are not yet strong enough to hold him," Kurama cautioned telepathically. I ran my hands slowly over Makoto's broad chest. "Relax, I just want to make sure my mate doesn't interrupt our fun," I murmured in his ear. Makoto raised an eyebrow in surprise. "It appears you have changed your mind about me. I thought you loved your mate," he responded. "I do love Kurama, however I also know he will not last much longer," I said as I undid the thin tunic. "I also have learned to make the best of things. You see, Kurama and I marked each other before you arrived. Since you will be taking his place I don't see why I can't enjoy myself as well, after all since I bear his mark I cannot take another mate," I continued as I continued my teasing ministrations. "Very smart of you," Makoto purred. He tugged at the bonds a bit. "What about these?" he asked. I smirked. "It seems I got some of Kurama's abilities when we bonded," I lied. "I thought it would make things a bit more fun," I added. Makoto chuckled. His laughter was cold and mirthless. "I think I'm going to enjoy this," he said.
I continued to tease him with arousing caresses and swift butterfly kisses. All the while I could feel my mate's energy flowing through me, strengthening the bounds that held Makoto. "Now open your jagon," Kurama said softly. "I'm going to create an illusion. Makoto's going to have one hell of a wet dream, but he won't realize he's been tricked until it's too late," He explained. I could almost see the mischievous twinkle in his golden eyes. "You've done this before haven't you?" I asked. I heard Kurama mentally chuckle. "How else do you think I got my reputation? I certainly didn't sleep around as much as the stories say," he replied, thoroughly amused. I compiled and allowed my third eye to open. I felt Kurama's energy coarse through me again. Makoto moaned and writhed beneath me, seemingly unaware of the fact my caresses had ceased. "Now," Kurama cried aloud in my mind.
I recited the spell to lock Makoto into the gauntlets once more. Kurama's body went lifeless beneath me. I closed his eyes gently with my hand and removed the cuffs from his writs. Next, I reached to remove the gauntlets. To my relief they both came off. I set them on the bedside table along with the cuffs. Now all I had to do was wait for my mate to regain consciousness. He soon stirred to life and sleepily opened his eyes. "Hiei?" he asked weakly. "Yes, Fox?" I asked. "Is Makoto gone?" he inquired. "Yes, I think so," "Good," he responded the closed his eyes again and fell into a deep sleep. I wasn't far behind him.