Sorry for the VERY long hiatus. I had an incurable form of writer's block that I am just now, partially getting over.
But, now I'll just continue the story, here lies the beginning of the Dark Saga.
All of the chapter titles are going to be in Latin for this saga.
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Atrum Saga, Capitulus Unus: Everto Ligatio
The Dark Saga, Chapter one: Demonic Imprisonment
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"REIGUN!" the giant blue bullet of energy screamed forward towards its intended target; a colossal phantom-like creature, covered in ghostly purple flames, floating about three feet above the ground. Erebus, a violent spirit, named for the place of its birth, the deepest pits of Hades, hovered before the tentei. Its body, an entity of violet flames carrying a multitude of captive souls from both Ningenkai and the nether realm, had no support from any lower limbs. Five, gruesome crimson eyes in the formation of a 'V' glared down from the apparition's visage and into the core of each of its five enemies. And into each of them, sent a constant ghastly vision: their own souls captured within his massive gait.
As Yusuke's bullet reached its destination, the Erebus barred its vicious fangs and swung his deadly clawed appendage towards the ball of energy deflecting it with little or no effort.
"AGH! Dammit!" Yusuke growled deep from within his chest. Narrowly dodging the razor sharp talons of the phantom by performing a back flip a few feet away; Yusuke threw a very impatient glare towards Shihiko, "Hey dragon chick, think you can hurry it up, we're running out of fire power here!"
Shihiko, the newest edition to the Reikai tentei stood some distance away, Kurama by her side, with her eyes closed, glowing an eerie shade of gold and red. The white dragon was concentrating hard on unleashing a spell to return spirits to hell. Since the Erebus is immune to any physical harm, the only way to defeat it was by exorcising it to another realm. Needless to say, this level of spell took some time, and lots of energy to pull off. In the meantime, the rest of the members of the tentei were focusing all of their efforts on distracting the phantom from their trump card.
Hiei and Kuwabara were the first line of attack, slicing away at the beast at close range. Yusuke took care of the long range attacking; and Kurama took care of any danger that would interrupt Shihiko's spell casting. All in all, it was the perfect strategy, except for the time factor, for they had been fighting this battle for nearly forty five minutes.
"Yeah, I don't want to be ghost food!" Kuwabara added while fending off another attack by Erebus. His spirit sword clashed violently with the creature's other clawed hand. The phantom began to put more strength into his attack and started to push Kuwabara down to his knees. "grrrr, a little help" he ground out through clenched teeth; beads of sweat forming along his forehead from the heat generated from Erebus' inflamed appendage as well as from his own fear of becoming worm's meat.
Erebus threw back his other hand to deliver a fatal blow to Kuwabara. Just as the creatures hand began to descend, Kuwabara squeezing his eyes shut in preparation of the deadly strike, a black streak whizzed through the air severing the spirit's attacking claws. The appendage fell downward, but, before reaching the ground, the fires of its arm extinguished leaving no trace of its existence.
In a split second later the spirit's second limb was severed, its fate mirroring that of its twin's.
"Baka, what are you waiting for, move!" a deep, irritated voice sounded from behind Kuwabara. The startled teen opened his eyes as the screeching wail of the Erebus sounded through the air. The spirit lurched back as if in pain. Suddenly, a number of old roots began to sprout from the earth and twine around the Erebus, as per Kurama's command, holding him steady for a few moments as his limbs began to regenerate.
Suddenly a bright light flashed from behind the group. Yusuke looked back and saw that Shihiko was FINALLY ready to put the fucker out of his misery.
"Oy! Kuwabara, get out of the way." The spiritually aware teen caught sense of the immense amount of power building behind him and scurried as far away as he could from the Erebus.
Shihiko, sensing the coast was clear, opened her eyes, which were now burning more with gold than blush, and pointed her right hand out to the unsuspecting beast, index and middle fingers extended outward, "Erebus , filius of incendia EGO expello thee ut barathrum!"
The invisible force sprung from Shihiko's fingers and landed upon the Erebus. After about thirty seconds of nothing happening, Yusuke quirked an eyebrow and voiced the thought that ran through the four other tentei's minds, "THAT was IT! THAT is what we got our asses kicked for?"
Shihiko simply closed her eyes and folded her arms…waiting.
A piercing scream rented through the air and the four male tentei looked towards the phantom, only to find him consumed in Black flames. Just as suddenly as the black flames appeared they disappeared, taking the Erebus with it.
Yusuke whistled his approval at the space of blackened earth which was Erebus' previous whereabouts. "I have to hand it to you, that was one kick ass move…a little long winded, but still…"
Kurama gave a tiny smile in her direction only to find that she had already begun to saunter off. Leaving the rest of the fighters alone in the woods.
"Gee, what's wrong with her," asked Kuwabara. He really didn't get to know Shihiko as well as the others had since he was away at the time she joined the Reikai tentei, not saying that anyone else but Kurama knew anything about her except for the fact that she was a white dragon.
"Must be that time of the month," Yusuke said with a nod of his head.
"Urameshi! Boys aren't supposed to talk about… private girl things," Kuwabara said glancing from side to side as if anticipating an angry group of females was laying in wait to attack him if he continued talking about the subject at hand.
"…Idiot…" Hiei muttered under his breath. Making his way towards the general direction of the Reikai portal where Botan was waiting to take them to Koenma for a full report of the battle.
The others followed close by with Kuwabara and Yusuke still arguing about the vagaries of P.M.S.ing. With little or no thought of the two's argument on his mind Kurama tried to bat off the nagging worry building up over a certain white dragon keeper.
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Shihiko walked briskly down the street on which her apartment was located. Her stealthy retreat from the other tentei was aided by the darkness of the night as well as her all black ensemble, which included a tee shirt, jeans and a 3/ 4 length jacket. The dead of night cloaked her like camouflage as the crisp autumn wind whipped gently about her coat.
She entered into the silent complex. Not surprisingly, no one was awake, being that the hour was now an ungodly two in the morning. She quietly crept up the unlit stairwell leading to her door and entered into the dark quarters. The moment she closed the door, a sharp prickling feeling rose up and down her spine. A feeling she fully knew meant that danger was near. Just as soon as the sensation had come, it disappeared leaving her with a realization of who her uninvited visitor was.
Closing her eyes gently, she exhaled the pent up breath she did not even realize she was holding, "There are better ways of arranging a meeting you know," she said sarcastically.
She turned around to look behind her and saw her said perpetrator.
Ran. The little red dragon keeper.
Ran simply stared back at Shihiko, her visage painting the perfect image of stoicism. Yet her eyes were molten gold. A sure sign of the fiery rage which the petite warrior held within.
Being a dragon, Shihiko fully knew the significance of the golden eye color which mingled with a dragon keeper's normal eye color. The gold of the iris is from the blood of the Dragon that coursed through each dragon keeper's veins. The amount of gold which is present in the eye is a sign of the level or intensity of emotion felt by the holder. The more fluffy, loving, sexual and carefree emotions yielded an iris color which held less gold and more of the other dominant color which represents the holder's clan or race. The ferocious, angry or enraged emotions yielded an iris color which held more gold than the clan color. And if a keeper's eye color were to turn completely gold, then one should watch their ass because nothing, absolutely nothing will stop the dragon from attacking until the subject of their attention has been exterminated.
Luckily for Shihiko, Ran's eyes held the tiniest bit of red in their depths. However, she would still have to be on guard and choose her words very wisely; for if the wrong phrase is uttered, one of them would meet their maker tonight, and Shihiko was not all that sure that the one who would die would be Ran.
The two stared at each other, no words were uttered during the length of time they studied each other's eyes. It seemed an eternity of deafening silence had passed before Ran broke eye contact with Shihiko and strolled leisurely towards the window overlooking the city. It was as alive during the twilight hours as it was during the day.
More minutes of silence passed between the two, and without warning, "I've been asked to escort you to Kairen," Ran said silently, still gazing out at the city below. "This is your final chance for redemption. If you ignore it, then you are an enemy of the Dragon World and of Lord Kairen and will be dealt with accordingly." She turned to face Shihiko, her face void of any emotion, "Make your choice, your deceptions grow wearisome."
"I have made my choice." Shihiko said without hesitation. She turned her back on Ran and walked towards her bedroom as if she didn't have a care in the world, "I suppose that this means that we are now adversaries," she paused in the doorway of her bedroom and looked over her shoulder at the red head, "but then again, we were never friends," then silently she shut the door behind her.
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5:00 a.m…
The sun crept up slowly over the horizon of the city. Its early rays awaked the sounds of nature as the intermittent tweeting and chirping of birds announced the arrival of morning…
"BEEEEP! BEEEEP! BEEEEP! BEEEEP!"
The damnable noise of the alarm clock blared through the bedroom incessantly. All traces of morning glory and the sounds of nature had been shot to hell. After the fifteenth mind splitting ring of the clock a weary hand emerged from underneath a blue comforter and blasted a white fire ball at the heinous mechanical 'wonder of man,'.
A very grumpy Shihiko moved the sky blue comforter from off of her and glared in evil satisfaction at the lump of charcoal that used to be her alarm clock. "That was for the rude awakening,"
The death of the damnable alarm clock had been part of the new morning ritual Shihiko was forced to put up with along with a little thing called… homework.
Homework! Alarm clocks! Late night patrolling going hand in hand with the hell of early morning awakenings! This was not what she signed up for. Killing on behalf of Reikai was one thing…but, SCHOOL, was quite another.
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As per the 'request' of the almighty toddler, Shihiko was forced to attend the daily facilitated hell made for children, better known as school. This 'request' was 'suggested' to Shihiko, by Koenma, in order to make her 'fit into' Ningenkai, since it seemed that, for the time being, it was her new 'home'.
The 'request' in her point of view was 'bullshit'.
Shihiko walked down the sidewalk on her way to Mieou High, the high school which Kurama, or Suuichi as he is known as in this world, attended. It was about 6:30 in the morning when she came upon a solitary figure leaning with his back against a wall and one foot hiked up behind him. Crimson locks blew gently in the autumn breeze as serene emerald eyes gazed thoughtfully at her face.
The two stared at each other for a few moments until Shihiko resumed her promenade past the lounging Kurama. She sashayed proudly a few feet away from him, fully aware that his eyes were still on her. She turned her head back to him haughtily, "Well, are you coming or not?"
Kurama let out the tiniest of chuckles and pushed off of the wall with every bit the grace and elegance of his former persona, the legendary spirit fox, Youko Kurama, and sauntered towards her with his right hand in his pocket, "Well, based on your conceited greeting this morning, I was not entirely sure I was greeted by the same Shihiko I knew 100 years ago; for she was a far more modest and polite young woman than the one standing before me today." He stopped walking once he came abreast of her, looking down, almost lazily, into her eyes.
"Well, the Shihiko you once knew 100 years ago had her heart stolen away by a thieving, conniving and utterly sensual spirit fox who then proceeded to mutilate and destroy what was left of it." She fluttered her eyelashes in his face and proceeded to walk ahead to school.
Kurama continued to watch her slow retreat, not entirely sure on how to take her remark. It was cold and meant to hit a mark, but, at the same time playful and utterly sensual. She looked over her shoulder, her wavy brunette locks flowing about her face, and flashed him a sincere smile, "Come on, or we'll be late," she said.
Kurama smiled gently at her and joined her on their daily walk to school.
The two created the image of quite a cute couple…or so everyone else watching from the outside thought. The close proximity in which they walked next to each other, the knowing, yet shy looks they gave to one another every now and then; this, as well as many more 'observations' were all signs of the perceived depth of affection and intimacy shared by the couple.
…well that's what everybody from the outside looking in thought, at least. However, the relationship between Kurama and Shihiko was far more complicated. There were too many complex layers, too many facets to the stone that embodied their relationship to be understood by anyone else who was not a part of that relationship. Were they a couple? Not in the conventional sense of the word. Were they friends? Well not in the conventional sense of the word. Well, do they like each other? Well, not in the conventional sense of the phrase 'like each other'. So what the hell WAS their relational status?
"…?..."
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The lunch bell rang, rescuing the students from the lectures of their professors. Suuichi walked out of the classroom on his way to lunch and was instantly bombarded by Aya Tanaka. He sighed internally, for this was a daily ritual which he too had to suffer through.
The girl stood before him with her hands behind her back looking up coyly at him, "Good afternoon Suuichi-kun," she sang sweetly. Kurama tried his best not to look at her with a pained expression. He was hoping that with all of the rumors flying around about him being with Shihiko, or Yumi, that she, and the rest of his 'fan club' would back off. Unfortunately, the rumors only served to intensify their pursuit.
"Hello Ms. Tanaka," he said.
"I was hoping that you would join me for lunch today Suuichi-kun. I even prepared a special dessert just for you." She pulled out a container filled with a decadent mini cake, which looked suspiciously like a wedding cake.
Kurama suddenly felt trapped, the damn girl had prepared a freaking wedding cake for him! How was he supposed to get out of this?
Suddenly, he brought his hand up to his stomach and wore the very pained expression he was trying to hide from her, "Oh, Aya. I do believe that I've come down with something. I will have to pass on our lunch. Excuse me." He said as he brushed pass her and made like he was about to throw up. Which probably wasn't all that far from the truth.
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The roof
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Shihiko sat in her usual spot on the roof overlooking the court yard of the school. She watched as all of the students in their respective groups milled along playing games and having conversations about recent events. The door to the roof opened and closed silently; and without having to turn around she knew it was Kurama.
"You always manage to find me don't you?" she said silently.
"Well you're always in the same place," he walked towards her and sat on the ledge next to her.
She looked up at him after a while and noticed that he too was watching the courtyard, "You look a bit flustered. Has Aya been chasing you around again?" She asked with a bit of amusement coloring her tone.
He looked stonily at her, "Your amusement over the situation has become quite dreary,"
She shrugged nonchalantly and returned her gaze back towards the courtyard.
"Why do you come up here and watch, instead of going down there? It looks as if that is where you truly want to be." He said, watching her quizzically.
"Simply put, I do not belong among those people. I am as far away from them as their species is from bacteria." She said, her eyes never leaving the courtyard below.
"Is that why you choose not to befriend the other tentei?"
She said nothing. "We're meeting Kuwabara and Yusuke later on today…you should try to, at least, get to know them," he watched her, her features were unwavering throughout the conversation…yes, she had indeed changed from the Shihiko he once knew 100 years ago.
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After school, Shihiko and Kurama walked down to the park, the place where they were to meet Kuwabara and Yusuke. It was an ideal meeting place due to the fact that it had an equal distance in between both schools and the park. As Shihiko and Kurama arrived at the destination they noticed that the two other members of their party had not arrived yet.
"I really don't know why I am surprised that they aren't here on time." Said Kurama in an almost exasperated tone.
"Why are we meeting each other?" she asked out of curiosity, "Is there a mission?"
Kurama didn't quite meet her eyes, a sure sign that he was planning something.
"IS there a mission?" she asked again, now out of suspicion.
"We're just going to hang out for a little while, that's all," Shihiko exhaled loudly and turned to leave. "We just want you to be more acquainted with the member s of the group. That's all."
She shot an incensed glare at Kurama, "Did you all have a group outing with Hiei to make him feel more comfortable with the group!"
"Actually, yes we did," she arched her right eyebrow delicately in disbelief, "well, we all went to Yusuke's house one night and got drunk," he said a bit sheepishly.
She blinked slowly and a tiny smile played on her lips until she bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling, "You all got Hiei drunk?" She paused for a moment as if in thought, "what is he like when he is inebriated?"
He chuckled lightly; he then saw Yusuke and Kuwabara approaching, "I'll tell you later," he said secretively.
"Kurama, Shihiko!" Yusuke called out and waved as he and Kuwabara walked towards them.
"Hello you two," Kurama said. Shihiko nodded her head in greeting at the two other tentei.
"So what are you two up for today?" asked Kurama.
"Well since dragon lady over here doesn't eat, we though that we would go catch a movie and then probably go get some ice cream."
"Wow, I still can't believe that you don't eat. I mean don't you crave a double cheeseburger sometimes? My life would be pointless without a double cheeseburger."
"I cannot crave what I have never had…and I do eat, just not as often as you humans do," it was short, but it was her attempt at conversation with her new teammates.
After a while the foursome went to the movies. After some debate the group finally decided to go and see Pulp Fiction (it was the only movie I could think of that was out at that time which Yusuke and Kuwabara would want to watch as well).
After the movie, which seemed to really enthrall Shihiko, the group went out for ice cream.
"This iced cream is truly a wonder. I must admit you humans have the food and entertainment business down." Shihiko said while licking her strawberry ice cream from off her waffle cone.
Kurama looked down at his watch which read 10:30 p.m. "Yusuke, I think it's time that we call this gathering to an end. It's getting late."
"Hell Kurama, why do you have to be the wet blanket of the group?" said Yusuke.
Shihiko smirked behind her ice cream cone. She had really enjoyed the human's company, though she was not ready to admit that little fact to them. She found a kindred spirit in Yusuke. He was truly funny and genuine. She could tell, even now, that down the line, if she allowed him to, he could become like a brother to her. And Kuwabara… well, he was truly endearing. It was obvious from the moment she met him that he was the true heart of the team. Even though he wasn't the strongest member, he did everything in his power and beyond to help his teammates. Yes, indeed the humans did have enjoyable qualities about them.
The three boys had continued in their mock argument over Kurama spoiling their fun when Shihiko decided to step in. "It's alright you guys, I am growing a bit tired myself," it was a lie, but who cared, "if you do not mind I believe that I shall retire." She said bowing her head, she then turned to leave.
"Shihiko, do you need me to escort you home?" Kurama asked forestalling her for a moment.
She looked back at him, "But you live all the way on the other side of town. It is too much of an inconvenience,"
"Yeah fox-boy." Yusuke said slyly, inching his way closer to Shihiko, "besides she and I are going in the same direction, so I'll just watch her for ya,"
"Alright then," he looked over to Shihiko, "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
She nodded her head, "Farewell Kuwabara,"
"Oh, yeah bye Shihiko," he said with a tiny blush. (He's not into her; Kuwa-chan is still 100 in love with Yukina).
After each said his or her goodbyes the two groups parted, each going into opposite directions…in every sense of the meaning.
Yusuke and Shihiko walked some time in companionable silence until Yusuke broke the silence, "So how long have you known Kurama?"
Shihiko glanced up at him and then back to the road in front of her, "For about a century now,"
Yusuke's eyes nearly bulged out at that tidbit of information, "100 years! Geez, you're one freaking old chick,"
Shihiko couldn't help but chuckle slightly at his outburst, "I am not THAT old," she said in a mock defensive tone, "Besides Kurama is over 1000 years old,"
"DAMN! So how old do you think Hiei is? Judging by the constant bug that seems to be driven up his ass, you'd think he'd be older than Kurama."
"I honestly do not know how old Hiei is. But judging from his physical features, I would guess that he is a relatively young demon."
The two fell into silence once again. Yet, it wasn't an awkward silence. It was rather enjoyable. However, humans being the way humans are, feel the need to strike up conversation in order to feel comfortable. A habit which Shihiko did not understand and also found rather annoying.
"So…" Yusuke drew out hesitantly, "You and Kurama, what are you two like boyfriend and girlfriend or something?"
Shihiko was genuinely confused a state emphasized by her scrunched up eyebrows, "I do not understand this term, boyfriend and girlfriend."
"Well, you know, are you two…lovers?"
All motion stopped at that moment as Shihiko paused to turn and face Yusuke, "Why would you want to know that?" she said, her face totally devoid of any emotion, yet conveying a very icy disposition.
"Well you two are always together and Kurama really seems close to you, I was just wondering…" he let the rest of the sentence trail off into the wind.
Shihiko let down her guard, just a little bit. She had her reservations about opening up the Kurama file. There relationship was too complex to go into detail with.
"Kurama and I… have a difficult past…" she began.
A loud scream broke out from the forested area of the park, interrupting her sentence. She and Yusuke looked at each other, "Let's go!" Yusuke said.
The two raced off into the forest until they came upon a clearing with a little boy lying face down in a pool of his own blood.
Yusuke bent down towards the little boy and turned him over. Shihiko came to peer over him.
"By Ryuushi!" Shihiko said absolutely stunned.
"His face…he doesn't have-,"
"YUSUKE LOOK OUT!" Shihiko screamed.
They were too late as the two tentei were engulfed in a sea of green energy.
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To be continued…
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Well that was the first chapter of the dark saga. I hoped you all liked it. And I hope even more to receive some reviews. For this chapter.
Speaking of reviews, I would like to thank Lucifer 001 and Spud for reviewing my fic. I'm glad at least someone reviewed that VERY LONG chapter I wrote. I look forward from hearing from you all again for this chapter.
Also, I am placing a modified, more adult version of this story on adultfan. you all want to check it out, it's up right now.
Anywayz, see y'all next chapter!