"This should be fun."
The words were said with dripping sarcasm.
After Yusuke and Hiei had been able to find the castle, they had to find a place to sleep for a week…or four. Hiei had been much faster, and had located the hall with the largest spaces; he had also picked the largest room, because of one tiny little factor that Taisei had chosen to slip in on him: he was going to have a roommate, and it wasn't Yusuke. So, Hiei had just been himself, and decided to put the largest amount of space between himself and Kenyusa as possible. Even though he had done this, none of the others could see why; even though Yusuke didn't particularly trust the woman completely, he had to admit that she had helped them quite a deal in the tournament…and there was the fact that she had changed significantly. In comparison to how she looked now, she was a little kid before. Her hair had grown and was now held back behind her head; throughout the violet locks, highlights of lavender were easily seen. She hadn't grown much, but her features sure had; she was more curvaceous, and her eyes even seemed to have changed shape; they were now almond-shaped, and the green hue of them even brighter and more electric. She still had the bangs, but they too had become longer, and hung over her right eye; the longest pieces framed that side of her face, and made her new appearance just that much more alluring. Her clothes were the same, but her blue shirt had been replaced by one of a dark green; the necklace she wore still gleamed bright silver. Hiei had noticed all of these things, but they weren't the things on his mind; the thing he noticed more was her change of mind, and the way she kept her distance from him more than she had before. This, he had no problem with, to be honest. She seemed a little more out of control with her energy pattern, and a lot more dangerous; though he hated to admit, Hiei was drawn to this new feature like a moth to open flame. She wasn't naive, but adult-like; she had gone from "immature child" to "young woman." Or so Hiei believed. The others just thought she had spruced up a little, and had no problem with any way she looked; she, however, hadn't even realized she had been through so great a change, nor did Hiei realize he was paying that much attention to her. But either way, they were sharing a large room decorated in the colors of ebony and pale-azure; it looked to be the size of Yusuke's apartment plus some; his own was much the same.
Yusuke had placed himself at the very front of the hall, in a room of black and green. It was also very large, but because he didn't really want that much space, it wasn't as big as the others were. As expected, it was only semi-modern, and still had much of the same things that they supposed were there in the feudal times. The floors were still wooden, like much of the furniture, but the doors had been replaced by wood, rather than having those of rice paper. Both the chosen rooms had a side hall, which led straight to an under-mountain hot spring, and each had a wardrobe, holding both traditional and modernized clothes. After dropping the string-bag that he had been fortunate enough to bring with him, he did a few more investigations on the other rooms, and decided to follow his way back to the stairs, being sure that he didn't get lost in the maze of assorted halls and other rooms that he had a feeling he wasn't supposed to be in. On his way back, he ran into Abunai, who instructed him that he shouldn't be going the way he was, but because he didn't listen to her, he soon found out why. His walking took him to the other side of the castle, and as he went down a hallway, he became aware of an odd feeling. He kept going, however, and the further he walked, the more images he began seeing; on the walls, there were painted pictures, and somehow he got the feeling that they told a very complicated story.
Almost like hieroglyphics…I wonder what the pictures say…
He continued on his path, looking at assorted paintings of demons and other creatures, when he accidentally made a wrong turn, and found himself in a dark circular room with a large statue in the center. The thing looked like a big white monster, but it was a dog, and a very scary one at that. As he took a step into the room, its eyes blazed red, and the room lit up, letting him see the snarl etched on the canine statue. Its poise suggested that it was ready to leap out at him, and in an instant, dizziness overtook him, and he saw something that he never wanted to. The creature came to life, the granite moving around him, and the dog lunged at him.
He quickly stumbled out of the room and slammed the door shut behind him. He also ran into Abunai again.
Abunai: I told you not to come this way.
Yusuke: Well, now you know that I don't listen to people.
Abunai: I do know that you're an imbecile. That statue hadn't moved one inch; it's an illusion, and a damn good one. It traps intruders, or those that aren't invited into the chambers.
Yusuke: Chambers?
Abunai: (nods) Yes. The statue is a guardian to Sesshoumaru's room, as well as his forbidden halls. You were headed straight for them.
Yusuke: Why are they forbidden?
Abunai: Ask him if you just have to know. Maybe he'll tell you.
Yusuke: I'll pass; I don't need to know that badly. How do I get out of here?
Abunai: Go down the other hall. You should find yourself at another staircase; there are three, so take the one on the far end of them. It's a long descend, but you should make it down okay, as long as you don't slip, or something. I suggest you slide down the guardrail. Now move before Sesshoumaru comes back; I have to light the torches along the walls, as well as mask your scent; wouldn't want him to think you're a trespasser, would you?
Yusuke: No, that's okay. We can keep this between us and that statue in there. I'm outta here; I've seen too much weird stuff for one day…
He turned and left, while Abunai used her poison energy to wipe his scent from the area, as well as her own. She lit the flames on the walls, and went on her way as well; she didn't know what was going on in the dog-demon's mind when he allowed them to stay there, but one thing was for sure: there wasn't going to be another moment's peace in the entire castle…
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"Are you sure we aren't going in circles?"
"Yeah, because that tree looks just like the one we passed in the last level."
"For the last time to both of you, it is not the same. Now be quiet before you alert every demon in Makai to your presence. They won't take it too lightly that a dragon is in their lands."
Kurama and his group weren't too far from the thirteenth level, so they had slowed their pace a slight bit to insure that they needn't stop completely for a break. Kurama had the most knowledge of the landscape out of the three, and with that knowledge he made sure that he used every shortcut he knew of; there was no time to lose, for there was no telling how long Kuwabara would last, or what his captors would do to him. With much haste, they reached the thirteenth level, and just like Yusuke and Hiei had, they met a demon; but it wasn't Inuyasha, it was Sesshoumaru himself.
Kurama: Forgive me for appearing rude, but have you seen Yusuke? We really must find him quickly.
Sesshoumaru: Yusuke? Yes, but only for a moment. Why do you ask, fox?
Kurama: There really is no time to fully explain, but I can tell you that we have a serious problem. One of the group has been captured by the dragons, and honestly--
Sesshoumaru: Dragons? (A spark of a strong emotion flashed through his eyes with this question.)
Kurama: Yes.
Sesshoumaru: Yusuke is at the castle. Tell Taisei to show you to it; he's the demon with the navy-hued hair.
Without another word, he once more walked off, leaving them there looking after his retreating form before they once again went on their way. It wasn't hard to find Taisei, for he was lounging on the grass in the fading sunlight, but the second he heard them coming, he rose; his hand automatically went to his stomach as his healing wound pulled, causing it to reopen only slightly.
Taisei: Do you want something?
Kyubi: Where's Yusuke?
Taisei: The detective? Most likely lost within the castle. Something is amiss; what is wrong and so urgent? You're clearly upset.
Kurama: No time; just show us the way.
They were swiftly shown the way to the castle, and after navigating the underground maze, they found themselves standing on what would have been the front lawn, were it not a meadow on the other side of the mountains. The castle was still underground, which still perplexed Kurama, but he had no intentions of wondering over this; Yusuke quickly came out, and after giving one look to the group, he sighed deeply.
Yusuke: It's Kuwabara, isn't it? What happened--no, let me guess. He was captured, right?
Kenta: Brilliant deduction, Detective. (Yusuke ignored the comment)
Yusuke: How? How can he get captured again? You'd think he'd know better after that whole Sensui thing, but no, he goes and becomes a prisoner again--
Kurama: Yusuke, this is hardly the time for a rant or rave. You do know that there's no telling what the dragons will do to him, right?
Yusuke: I was trying not to think of that…Want me to get Hiei?
…No need. I'd rather swallow the blade of my sword, and cut myself in half than follow that buffoon for being the same idiot twice. Your on your own for this one. Only if you're all near dying will I assist you…
Kurama: Apparently, that won't be necessary. But no matter, if we really need him, he'll show like he always does.
Kyubi: I suppose so, but I don't think I should go with you. I'll slow you down and interfere. Instead, I'll keep the search going for the gemstones…what do I do with them when I find them?
Kurama: If you insist, then take them to Koenma in the Spirit World when you find them. I'll give a message to Botan to stay with you in case you need help or run into another dragon. Oh, and if we don't need Hiei, you might; don't hesitate to ask him for help; he won't harm you for asking, but if you honestly need him, he'll assist you.
Yusuke: And if not, Kenyusa will. Now let's get going; I'd like Kuwabara to be in one piece when we get to him. (looks at Kenta) You'd better know where you're going when you lead us to him…
Kenta: Relax. Everything will be fine; trust me.
Kurama: I'm not so sure it would be the best policy…
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"How did things go?"
"Successfully captured, Hitairu."
"Splendid. And the others?"
"They set course to follow. Our whereabouts are still unknown to them, and they are on a blind rush with Kenta leading them."
"Well, it looks like everything is going according to his plans…though I simply hate doing this to them…"
"Aw, don't let it trouble you, man. We won't kill any of them unless we have to--"
"See to it that you don't. I may be working for a cold, heartless bastard, but that doesn't mean that we are one in the same."
"I got ya. Hands off the vitals. I just hope you know that unless someone dies, your father's gonna--"
"He is not my father."
"Okay, okay…I just hope you know what you're doing. What do you want us to do when they get here? Sesshoumaru and Hiei aren't coming."
"I thought as much. Now, listen Kentamaru; I want you to do something. When they arrive, send Yashira out to capture our second bait. Then, after Yusuke loses his senses, bring the third and fourth. Kurama wouldn't want his fox-girl hurt, so he will fight to his end. Just keep him occupied enough to snare Yukina, and Hiei will definitely come to us. (sigh) By then, Kurokasai will be at the castle, or in the demon world, and he and Sesshoumaru can have their fight…Understand?"
"I think I got it. After they're all here, Sesshoumaru'll run into Kurokasai, and it'll be up to the winner how things go from there--What about that other woman?"
"Who?"
"Kenyusa."
"Don't worry about her. Hiei can get rid of her when he moves to our side…I just hope all of this blows over before things get too out-of-control…"
Kentamaru left Hitairu to think, and as the black dragon stared into space, he unconsciously removed the bandages from around his neck, feeling the raw flesh from where Sesshoumaru had attacked his throat when they fought. He shook his head slightly, and ran a claw to touch his wound, feeling a drip of blood run down his neck as the tip grazed one of the unhealed areas. The dog-demon's poison had done a number on him, and with the effects making his wound remain opened, he knew that Kurokasai wasn't going to fare much better…but there was just something wrong with the way things were going. The feeling of this whole situation felt completely odd, and he knew there was something that he didn't know the whole truth to…and he had a pretty good clue. He never understood how that older dragon was able to manipulate him with threats of pain and death; no one else could come close to such things, because it just wasn't something that he was generally afraid of. So why was this time any different? He had no good basis for his assumptions, nor did he have any real clue, but something had been (and still was) pulling him toward that dungeon…and one day, he was going to find out why; he just had to wait for the right opportunity…
I don't know what you're hiding from me, but I swear, when I find out what it is, I am going to blow your whole plan out of the water. I just hope I can find the power in time…I need more time, but it seems that time…it's just something that I don't have enough of. If only I could stop time and suspend the sands from the hourglass…I might be able to stop him…But I will, despite this dilemma-- I just don't quite know how…
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And yet another end to a story's chapter. I hope everyone who reads liked this one, and I hope its better than the last. If not, I'll just have to try harder, then, huh?
Kumori Sakushaformerly known as Saelbu--(did I spell that or type that right? It is even your name??) Sorry I didn't acknowledge you before, but I'll double acknowledge you now. Thanks for reviewing, and thanks for reviewing again. I really do appreciate you for doing so!
Well, that's it for this, and remember people, REVIEW!