Hello again! I hope I updated this in a timely manner. I seem to slack of now and then. Just can't resist reading other fanfics If any of you are Inu fans you have to check out The King's Mistress! It's so good! The author has tons of great Inu fics you can sink your teeth into so go get it. Don't forget to come back for my fic though.
Is my fic realy that depressing? I got reviews of people sniffling and saying it was sad, but good. I had no idea it was so angsty. Ah well guess it's my true colors shining through.
Also I'm a huge Jin fan! I got a kick out of his accent and throughly enjoyed his character. I wish he was on the anime more.
When I was writing this it just didn't seem right so, I erased the whole thing and started over from scratch. It still seems funny to me but I've left you hanging long enough.
(This isactually 14 but I messd up somewhere)
Well I won't bother you any longer then I already have. Enjoy the show, I mean fic!
Chapter 14: Escape
It was mid-morning in Seryiu's Forest and all the occupants were awake, enjoying the beautiful day, well, almost everyone. Inside a frilly, pink room Botan lay curled up in her thick fluffy bedspread, her only movements consisted of her burrowing deeper into the sheets. Her vibrant blue hair lay all around her head covering her pale pink pillow. A goofy grin was present on her face as she slept on completely unaware of the other presence in her room.
A shadowed figure crept quietly over to Botan's bedside. It stopped to watch her for a moment before placing an object next to her pillow. It cackled evilly and gagged halfway through its strange ritual. It then turned around and slowly traversed across the room and out the door.
The shadow walked down the long hallway and returned to its partner.
"Well did you get it in there Urameshi" asked Kuwabara. He stood at the end of the hallway in the shadow's impatiently waiting for Yusuke's answer.
Yusuke scoffed at the other boy's statement. Placing a balled up fist on either hip. "Of course I got it in, who do you think your talking to?"
Looking satisfied with his answer he leaned forward to ask another question. "So how long do you think it'll take her to wake up?"
A look of agitation appeared on the black-haired teen's face. "How the heck should I know! We just have to wait around and see. Everyone will probably hear her screaming like some wimp." He smirked at his last statement and motioned for his friend to follow him.
Without hesitation Kuwabara followed him further down the hall to a closed room. Yusuke turned around facing with is arms crossed and a serious look on his face. He looked around to make sure no one was listening in and continued with his plan.
"I've been thinking, maybe instead of harassing Osina, how about we get her and Hiei together? What da ya think?"
"I don't know Urameshi," said Kuwabara. He scratched his head and looked away before continuing. "Won't that be kinda hard?"
Yusuke shook his head and looked up with his lips turned up in a mischievous smile. "Haven't you seen the way they look at each other and how they ignore each other on purpose? Well I have, those two dig each other and if they can find that light we can get home. Don't you see, if we can do this we'll get to see Grandma before she keels over from old age!"
Kuwabara quietly mulled over Yusuke's short speech. He hadn't been as close to her as Yusuke had but she'd been the closest thing to a mother he'd ever had. "Ok Urameshi, I'm in."
"Your 'in' on what, might I ask," said the unmistakable voice of Kurama. "I've been listening in on your conversation for quite some time now but am still unable to understand your actions."
"I don't know what your talking about fox boy! We're just waiting for Botan to wake up!" he yelled, his voice was a little too loud forcing Kurama to interrogate him further.
"You two will explain what you are up to, now." He stated leaving no room for arguments.
"Ok fine," said Yusuke not wanting to be harassed any longer. "We're going to see if we can get Osina and Hiei together okay, You happy now!" He stared Kuramam down still upset that he'd snuk up on them, yet again.
Kurama showed no reaction to the teens reply and mearly stood there, studying him.
Sighing heavily Yusuke looked away, he'd known Kurama wouldn't allow them to get away with it. That reason was why they'd tried to keep it on the down low but fox boy couldn't keep his nose out of anything.
"Don't bother answering Kurama, I know you won't let us, you never do." Yusuke's face was grim as he turned his head away from him.
His handsome face were contorted in pain, as his fierce eyes bore holes into the floor he was glaring at.
Kuwabara, who had been watching from the sidelines for most of the conversation, spoke up suddenly.
"Don't you wanna go home too Kurama?" His question was honest and sincere and caught Kurama by surprise.
A long stretch of silence followed Kuwabara's innocent question before Kurama said anything. The older male looked over at Kuwabara then let his emerald eyes shift to the other teen. Yusuke's face was set in a determined scowl as he silently brooded over the fact he might never get home. His fists were held to his side in a stiff controlling manner, trying to reign in his violent emotions.
With a forlorn smile Kurama nodded his head in acceptance of their plan. "You may do as you wish. If you need my assistance you know where to find me."
"W-what?" sputtered the stunned teen. "You're going to let us go through with it?"
"Yes Yusuke, I am." He replied with a sincere yet said smile.
An amazed look swept across the teen's features as he studied his friend closely. Kurama had never gone in depth about his life before coming to the mansion choosing to tell them only that he had been banished. Now it was as if he was seeing the man in a new light, he knew what Kurama had left behind. He'd seen it on his own face everyday.
"Your mother" he whispered gently. His warm brown eyes softening as they focused on the demon in front of him. "You left your mom when they banished you, just like Genkai with me and Kuwabara."
"Yes, my mother. I sacrificed everything for her and I have no regrets. She fell ill with a rare disease and the only cure had to be made with my kistune powers. I did not hesitate to use them and healed her as soon as I had diagnosed her ailment. However, it did not take the villagers long to figure out what I was. So, I promised to leave as long as they let my mother live on. I soon found my way here, though how I was able to enter the forest is still a mystery even to me."
The duo sat in silence gazing at Kurama, both a little shocked at what they'd just heard.
A loud screech of surprise erupted from the room down the hall shattering the silence. Kuwabara and Yusuke looked at one another before bursting out into fits of laughter. Kurama just sighed and shook his head letting a small smile of his own grace his gentle features. There was never a dull moment with those two around.
After his encounter with Osina, Hiei had returned to roaming the halls. His head was slightly lowered as if deep in thought. His confused eyes were cast downward, following the intricate pattern of the rustic colored rug under his feet. His bandaged hands dug deep into the pockets of his black pants, as he had no use for them at the time. His mouth was turned down in a tight scowl giving him an agitated look.
Even though he was confident of his actions doubt kept nagging at the back of his mind. He'd done the right thing, hadn't he? Lying to her had been the easiest way to keep her at a distance. He'd reassured himself countless times but every time he did so the image of her face appeared before him. Her painful, crestfallen face she'd tried to keep hidden. He'd only caught a glimpse of it but that small glimpse had been enough to shake the very foundations of his soul.
Heh, his soul, the worthless thing was tainted and far beyond saving. He would have killed himself long ago if it hadn't been for his sister's selfless sacrifice. To die by his own hands would make her efforts pointless.
He stopped suddenly knowing his feet had taken him to a place he hadn't been in years. The hall he and his family had lived in. Taking a deep breath he gazed upward at the painting in front of him. It was made in the same fashion as all the other murals and artworks in the mansion. Including the pure gold frame that held it together.
His mother. His sister. His family.
His mother's soft, pale hair cascading down her back making the pastel yellow of her kimono appear brighter then it would normally. Her soft green eyes that were supposed to be staring forward were gazing down at the children in her arms. Yukina's vibrant sea green hair with her wide, innocent red eyes falling on her brother next to her. He turned away from the picture refusing to look at himself and placed a hand on the wall to steady his shaking body.
The feelings that washed over him at seeing them were almost too much for the human. The pain and sorrow of losing both of them was intermingled with a feeling of tremendous guilt. Guilt coming from his own sister dying to save his pathetic excuse of a life. Guilt from not being able to protect his family. Guilt from ending the lives of countless innocents that had nothing to do with his family's exile.
Killing those people had not been something he'd planned on. His original plan had been to kill those responsible for his annexation. But, when he'd arrived at the mansion and seen how they lived happily, blissfully unaware of the life he had been forced to lead he snapped. Slaughtering everyone regardless of age and gender, demon or human.
He could almost feel the disappointed glares of his mother and sister. They wouldn't have wanted that but he'd been selfish, cruel and indifferent to anyone's feelings but his own. That thought brought on another wave of guilt. He hadn't changed from the monster he'd been almost 20 years ago. For 20 years he'd been locked away in this prison; plagued by the memories it held. It felt like much longer to him. He hadn't aged a day but that was due to the shiny artifact in his room. That tear gem was what kept him and the others from growing old, he had reason to believe it had other affects on the mansion but hadn't bothered to find out.
With a heavy heart he straightened up and headed out of 'his' hallway. He was not worthy of looking upon that picture or setting foot in that area and he wouldn't do so again until he was. The only other thing he was sure of was finding this 'light' so he and the others could leave. He didn't need help from some half-breed and wasn't going to ask for it. With his mind made up he headed off in the direction of the Library. For the first time in 20 years his steps were not guided by his emotions or need for revenge but, by his own mind.
In front of an unlit fireplace Osina sat quietly on a plush rug, lost in thought. Her legs were drawn into her chest with her arms wrapped loosely around her knees. Random pieces of her short, dark hair had escaped her hair tie and stuck out in all directions. The hem of her long white kimono lay about her on the floor like a soft, pale halo. Her vacant, brown eyes stared into the dark, empty fireplace, a neutral expression on her face.
After a lot of thinking she'd decided it was for the best that she distance herself from Hiei. He was 'out of her league' one might say. That and they were from completely different lifestyles. She glanced around at the expensive furniture and draperies, secretly wondering what life would have been like if she'd been raised here.
A thought occurred to her that if she had lived there she never would have met Jin. A life without Jin was too much for her to even imagine. Jin was her family but, it had always been one of her favorite past times to watch and observe real families go about their daily lives. It was even more enjoyable to create a fantasy world where she had a family just like them.
An alternate life with parents and siblings who made you feel welcomed and loved. Never having to want for anything other then the newest toy or book. Being able to live a carefree life regardless of your race, species or even gender. Having someone scold you for your constant mistakes and mishaps only to have them turn around and embrace you like nothing bad had ever happened.
Her new friends were more of a family then they realized. Having been together for so long that they knew each other's desires and dreams. What they liked and what they didn't like. Although some of them took advantage of this knowledge they were still very close. Even Hiei was part of this family, no matter how much he denied it. He wasn't as good as showing it but he'd be devastated if anything happened to any one of them.
Except Kuwabara.
She was pretty sure that if Kuwabara died Hiei would jump from the shadows to dance and rejoice in his very timely death. A strange image of Hiei River dancing on Kuwabara's grave sent her into a fit of giggles. After recovering from her bout of laughter she continued to smile, all the mini-wars Kuwabara and Hiei had replaying in her mind.
A wistful sigh escaped her lips as the mysterious young man had once again wormed his way into her thoughts. Why did this keep happening? Her shoulders sagged in defeat and she shook her head shamefully. Nothing she did would stop her mind from straying to that subject so why try and stop it? With her mind made up she laid down on the fluffy, floor rug allowing her imagination to take her places her heart could only dream of.
Outside of the small room Jin had been trapped in sat Heros and Zesto. It was their turn to watch the prisoner and make sure he didn't escape. Even though the wind master was currently unconscious and weak, Nomino still seen him as a threat.
"Say, Zesto, if Nomino didn't want this guy to get away, why'd he leave us to watch him?" asked the curious Heros. "I mean, we suck at guard duty."
Zesto sighed loudly, annoyed that his younger friend still hadn't grasped the concept of Sir Nomino's plan. He placed a finger to his temple, rubbing it methodically as he prepared to explain the plan yet again.
"Sir Nomino's goal is to capture the Bright Ice Maiden and force her to work for him. That way he can annihilate the entire ice demon clan. But, she's in the forest that won't let any of us in it-"
Heros interrupted Zesto's explanation with another question. "If we can't go in, how comes you and I were able to go inside?" His bright yellow eyes were saturated with confusion as he awaited an answer.
"Any of us can go in to the forest, it's what will happen after we get in that's the problem. Countless demons of many kinds have ventured in there never to return." Zesto spoke in a hushed tone sending shivers down the spine of his younger partner.
Heros shook off the chill and grinned madly at his buddy. "So that's why you were so afraid to go in the forest!" Heros howled with laughter at discovering the source his friend's fears.
"Alright, alright, that's enough or would you rather I don't finish the other answer." Zesto yelled angrily just a little peeved by Heros's outburst.
The younger fire demon quieted down at the threat of not receiving the rest of his answer, a small grin plastered on his face as a peace offering.
Zesto rolled his green eyes at the man's behavior; he was such a child. He cleared his throat and continued with his speech.
"The wind demon he captured is the key to Nomino getting the Maiden. If he's released he'll go straight to her hiding place and lead us to her. Sir Nomino would go himself but the risks of something happening to him are to great. So in the sense he's using the wind master to get the Maiden, do you understand now?"
Heros stared at the older demon for a good 10 seconds before nodding his head in agreement. "Yeah I get it now Zesto, so…how's he gonna get free?"
It was Zesto's turn to smile, as he knew the answer to that one as well. "That's where you come in my friend. Your going to go in there and release him, when he asked why you say because you're feeling guilty about what Nomino's doing and are defying him."
Heros's eyes narrowed as his mouth was drawn into a tight frown. "Why the heck do I have to do it?"
"That's easy" Zesto said with a grin, "You look so stupid anyone would believe it."
Heros didn't say anything and continued to glare at his friend.
Zesto smiled at having evened the score. "Sir Nomino wanted the job done today so you better get started."
With a heavy sigh Heros stood up and entered the chamber taking great caution to not wake him up. He winced and froze after his foot snapped a twig on the dirt floor.
Almost immediately Jin woke up and stared directly at Heros's still form. His dark eyes trained on him waiting for him to make the wrong move. He'd been secretly gathering up his demonic energy ever since his last talk with Nomino. He was going to escape today so he could warn Ashley before it was too late.
Heros advanced towards Jin slowly with his hands raised in defeat. "I haven't come to hurt you, I've come to help."
Jin growled in reply to the fire demon baring his small fangs as he got closer. "Why should I be believin' you?"
"Because" he stepped closer as he spoke, "I'm your only means of escaping. Sir Nomino has plans to burn the forest to the ground tonight."
Jin let loose another low growl at the mention of the forest. "Why do you care?" he asked. "It's not like you be havin' any need to protect the forest."
At his answer Heros turned his head away from the demon finding the floor very interesting. After a few quiet moments he spoke again. "I don't agree with Sir Nomino's actions so I'm setting you free as an act of defiance!"
Looking a little shocked at his sudden outburst Jin said nothing, only choosing to stare at the wall. The sound of metal clinking against metal brought him back. The demon was actually setting him free. Should he trust him? No. It was a trap set for him to take them to Ashley. He would go along with the plan but he wouldn't go to the mansion. He'd lead them around the forest hopefully he could get them lost and Ashley would be safe.
Heros released the last chain holding him up and Jin was pulled to the floor in a rush, thanks to gravity. Slowly but surely Jin stood himself up, his breathing coming in quick, raspy intervals.
He didn't even give so much as a thank you as he made his way out the window. It took all the energy and will power he had to hoist his body out of the dark dungeon he'd been trapped in for so long. The sun rained down on him blinding him monetarily and he waited for his eyes to adjust. His first action upon being set free was to breathe in the blessed early spring air. That action alone was enough to revive the fighting spirit that had become dormant inside him. His childish personality shined out through his eyes as he ran off towards the forest, an almost unnoticeable smile present on his youthful face.
Osina woke with a start as a loud voice called to her from behind the door. She turned one lazy eye in it's direction, hesitating on rather she would open it or not.
Moments later the door slammed open, revealing a ticked Yusuke. "Yo, why didn't you answer the door?"
Osina sighed and looked over at the enraged teen. "Does 'I didn't feel like it' work for you? I'm just not in a good mood right now Yusuke." She turned over on her side hoping he'd take the hint and leave.
"What would you do if I told we had a library?" Yusuke asked.
With her eyebrows raised slightly she turned back around to stare at the teen. "Did you say library?"
Tada! Once again thanks for the reviews from last chapter and don't forget to review this one! I'll update as soon as I can but one more thing before I go...I'm going to California at the end of this month! I'm so excited! Later 4 ya!