Chapter 10: Dust in the Wind
Regular, "Conversation", "Mental thoughts or conversations", flash backs/ memories.
Enjoy!
The light of the morning's rays broke through the bamboo door and unto Youko's face, stirring him from his deeper than normal sleep. His eyes opened slowly, revealing a gold bright enough to challenge the sun itself, as they searched for the cause of his peaceful rest.
Adina was still in a total slumber, a look of relax upon her face, resting her head against his chest. Her breathing possessed a perfect rhythm, and it seemed to him that the sound of his own heartbeat was drawing her into a further unconsciousness.
Though his gaze on her form did not shift, his ears swiveled in the direction of the distant voices of his men gathering in the western area of the encampment.
"It seems problems have arisen."
Lifting his head, he looked around the small room, searching for a place to put his sleeping companion without awakening her. She had helped him last night at the cost of her own strength, and he wished for her swift recovery.
And though he truly yearned to remain there, and even to rejoin her in the world of dreaming, he knew something important was going on and that his presence was required.
Carefully standing up, Youko slowly moved to her bed, and laying her on it, he removed the stray blanket from her, combining it with another for more warmth. Thankfully, she did not stir to his ministrations, allowing him to slip quickly from the room.
Walking towards his distressed comrades, he noted the commotion coming from the edge of camp near the entrance.
Seeing Shito, Reico's next in command, he questioned him on the current chaos.
"Two scouts went out this morning on my command after hearing a rumor from an anonymous source. Only one returned, but he had apparently intercepted some kind of poison and died shortly after," a deadly serious look crossed his face before he dropped his voice to a murmur, "Youko, we have reason to believe it's the Yakusho."
His eyes widened only slightly before he pulled Shito aside growling under his breath, "I thought they moved east after our defeat of them last winter."
"They did, but it seems now that it was only to recruit new members. The Yakusho are here for vengeance Youko, and I believe that the tribe has enough man-power and knowledge to accomplish their bloody task."
Youko studied him for a moment before sighing, bringing a hand up to soothe the growing headache that was currently attacking his temple.
"From the scent I got off the dead soldier, I can already tell you that they have upgraded their wisdom of poisons. But there is more," Shito went on, his voice stretching thin, slightly tinted with fear, "There were no wounds on the body for the toxins to enter, nor did they drink it…"
Youko snapped his head up to his fellow thief, his eyes fierce, "Are you meaning to say that they have succeeded in created one strong enough to carry out through the winds?"
It was no difficult feat to simulate a poisonous fume, as Youko himself developed quite a variety, but only the most skilled poison masters could do it, and the Yakusho had not had the right candidates or proper materials in the past.
This was now a very large problem. If indeed some of the new members were well affiliated with his own art, he would not only lose his upper hand, but his mercenaries would be at a much higher risk of death.
"This rivalry between the two tribes must come to an end, and though I've known for awhile of its inevitability, it has truly chosen the wrong moment for our side."
With Kuronue absent, and Reico's head imbedded in his own greedy affairs only the devil knew of, he was on his own to completely annihilate their lowly rival.
No, he was not completely on his own. His "guest" also possessed a great many powers, and if she would be willing, perhaps he could end the problem for good.
"It is not as if she would really have a choice. The Yakusho will come to bang on our door no matter if she refuses or not."
"We will simply have to engage them in battle. If we wait for them to come here, they will ambush us, and with us trapped within our own walls we will certainly fall. It matters not that our forces have been slightly weakened."
"But Youko, how will we deal with the present matter on hand. The poison wasn't merely to kill the scouts; it was on its way here. It seems they wish to exterminate us like common field rats," Shito added with a slight shudder, his voice dropping rapidly, expressing his fear.
"I believe I can assist with that."
She awoke after hushed conversations hissed into her ears, informing her of an incoming battle.
"What on earth is going on?"
Rising from her bed, Adina winced at the soreness it seemed her every muscle was being plagued with, making her weary of its reason of existence.
"And what the hell happened last night?"
Memories surged through her; first of her nightmarish memory that had haunted her while sleeping, before she had been shaken awake to discover the gaping wound she had apparently clawed into Youko's shoulder while wrestling with the vision, to trying repay him for his attentiveness by tending to it, then accidentally injuring herself in order to suppress his pain.
But what truly stuck out in her mind was the fact that in her weakened state, she had told him of her many life's secrets that she had hidden from everyone else, accept herself and of course her master.
Not that she could've hid it from Laquia, even if she wanted to, for it was her master that had found her through the unforgiving blizzard, and then kept her alive and by her side, raising her in place of the mother she had lost.
"Child, what is your name?" the beautiful women questioned, a sorrow-filled her smooth face as her sapphire eyes swept over the sight of the frozen child cuddled next to her deceased mother.
Shivering, her glazed over eyes, which clearly expressed a high fever, glanced up at her. Laquia felt her heart swell up as she heard the girl's answer, her voice hoarse from crying, "Ad…i…a."
"What, my dear? Adina?" But it was too late for the child had collapsed from the exhaustion and illness. Taking her into her arms, Laquia looked at the body one last time, slightly inclining her head into a weak bow, a promise to protect falling from her lips.
Laquia was like a second mother, and through this memory, Adina felt the responsibility heavier than ever upon her shoulders. She would not leave her for dead, nor waste her true mother's sacrifice those many years ago. The ritual would take place and they would both go on to live their lives as planned.
"But…things have not gone as planned, have they?"
A cold feeling sank into Adina's chest as her thoughts touched the one she now realized she was falling for. What would happen after this set of events took place? Would she move on, or perhaps…
She could not continue her train of thought, for at that moment, the voice she recognized most from the camp's residents was questioning one of his men, his voice angry and dreading.
Deciding not to waste anymore time, Adina dressed in whatever she could grab first from her wardrobe, which happened to be a pale violet kimono, and exited Youko's hut.
Walking through the different arrangements of houses owned by various demons, Adina suddenly came to a halt, feeling eyes upon her. Turning to her right, expecting to find another lecherous demon, she was met with an empty ally, which was made up of nothing but a dry pathway between the huts.
Shaking suspicions from her mind, Adina continued on, following the voices to the entrance. Maneuvering her way through groups of restless fighters, she came upon the one she was searching for.
As she drew closer to the pair, who was currently discussing matters of rivalries, battle, and poison, Adina listened in, waiting for a proper time to enter the conversation. Finally, after she caught the part of an incoming torrent of air blown poison heading towards them, she could stand being silent no longer.
"I believe I can assist with that."
Bewildered, Youko and his fellow man stared in question at her, Shito speaking first.
"And what, if I may ask, could a woman do against a band of mercenaries?"
Adina bit her tongue as to not scream at him. Men had a terrible curse of pride, and to act irrationally would not improve what he thought of her, nor the problem at hand.
"I can keep the poison from entering the encampment until it has dispersed, making an opening so that you can easily destroy your enemy," she stated calmly, not wanting to agitate the situation further.
Youko spoke next, beating Shito to the chase, so that he could not make an ill deserved comment.
"And how will this be accomplished?"
Trusting that she had his confidence, unlike the disrespectful man beside him, she continued.
"I can rise an impenetrable barrier for however long it would take for the poison to leave the air, making it safe for your men to enter the battlefield. I'm guessing the opposing side would believe only the few strong demons to survive, and since they would be outnumbered, they could either be recruited or brought down quite easily. I highly doubt they would expect an attack, and would most likely have the majority of their soldiers on the outskirts of the perimeter, in hopes of catching the stragglers."
"You are very clever when it comes to strategic movements. Part of your training I presume?" Youko was quite amused to see Shito sputter with indignation at the complement.
"Youko, if I may, I believe you are putting too much trust in one that used to be an enemy herself."
"Shito, I don't appreciate you second guessing my judgment, or Adina's for that matter. And though we did meet under opposing sides, she is just my ally as you," his comment got two very different reactions. While Shito was speechlessly furious, Adina, though shocked, felt very grateful and pleased with his words.
Youko dismissed Shito before walking on, signaling for Adina to follow. Heading back towards his hut, he remained silent, encouraging her to continue.
"There is only one last aspect we must approach Youko," when he heard the seriousness in her words, he turned to face her. "In order to summon this barrier, I must have this curse upon me removed."
After hearing this, he continued where he had last left off, walking unconcerned to his domain.
Aggravated by his nonchalant attitude, she ran in front of him, forcing him to once more come to a halt.
"You must understand that, though it is a method of defense, composing a barrier for any length of time takes more energy than a normal attack. In order to keep such a large barrier up for the amount of time it would take for the poison to dissipate, I would have to bleed myself to death, or someone else would. It is absolutely necessary that we find Reico and permanently remove this black magic from me before it becomes even more of a hindrance," though she managed to hide the panic from her voice, she knew her eyes shone clearly the emotional stress she was currently suffering.
Sighing, Youko shook his head.
"You have no need to convince me, for I know that a desperate time like this calls for it, but you see, our dear friend Reico left late last night and will not be returning for some time."
Her eyes widened as she found herself losing composer, "Can't he be contacted from here?"
Youko shook his head before walking around her startled form, quickening his pace, "He is leagues away by now, and can therefore be of no service to us."
Whipping around, Adina called to him angrily, "How can you act like none of this matters? Without him, it will either be my blood on my hands or one willing to die losing that much blood in order to subdue the spell!"
He slowed as he neared the door. "I know very well that it matters, but due to the fact that I have taken the responsibility of the antidote off Reico's hands, the answer to your problems rests here, not with him."
She followed him inside, though was still thoroughly confused, "What do you mean, 'take the responsibility off his hands'? Once a blood curse has been placed on its victim, the donor's choice cannot be changed."
Youko made his way back over to the medical cabinet, and began digging through it for something, answering over his shoulder, "I know this, and I did not change it," he found what he had been searching for, and turned to show it to her, "But I did extract it due to my current suspicions. Reico's present actions have lead to my further distrust in him and his intentions, and because of this, I decided to tip the scale in our favor," he lifted up a simple vial, which contained the crimson liquid Adina knew to be Reico's blood.
"You took it the night I tried to escape, before Reico gained consciousness from my final attack," she spoke more of a statement than a question.
"Yes, I deemed him unfit for such a fragile case. I decided to keep it hidden from all, until the time called for the seal to be removed. For our lives, and your trust, now is the proper time."
She stood there silent, eyes locked on the vial. And though he tried to determine her emotions, Youko found her momentarily unreadable.
Finally, she said, "Was what you said earlier true?" Seeing his questioning look, she explained, "Do you honestly see me as your ally?"
The subject was slightly off topic, but he knew her reasons.
"I meant every word. After I hand this over to you, what you do will be your own choice. I now ask you as a friend and equal if you will remain among us until my questions of your power are answered," even as he spoke the words, no matter how formal he may have sounded, he sincerely desired her to stay with him.
Her eyes traveled once more to the vial, and almost hesitantly, she reached her hand out palm up, accepting it as he literally gave Adina her power to hold within her grasp. Closing her fingers around the smooth, cold surface, she stroked it with her thumb, knowing from there on out, things with him would be different; instead of his prisoner, she would be his comrade.
She let her gaze slowly crawl up to his face to once more meet his fiery golden pools, and nodded, giving her consent to not run off once their lives were saved. It was all she could do, really, for her ability to speak was currently disabled, killing any coherent thoughts she could've come up with anyway. His eyes were simply too intense for her to look at any longer.
Grasping the bottle tighter, she removed its cap, and slowly poured the cool ruby substance over her wrist. The reaction was immediate, the blood turned hot as the seal returned to its evil black before it slowly faded from sight, a light-headed feeling enclosing her entire body.
At last Reico's control of her was removed. Adina could faintly detect the slight feeling of anticipation and impatience within herself, like a caged animal finally turned loose, anxious to run around at top speed if only to say, 'At last, I am finally free'.
She shook slightly, before Youko's hands covered her own. Slipping the vial from her fingers, he replaced it on the nearby cabinet, and began to lead her toward the door.
"There is not much time left," he paused to wait until her eyes met his in understanding, "Are you ready for this?"
"It doesn't matter if I am or not. It is absolutely necessary for our survival that this task be done," her words expressed courage, but deep inside, she was worried about what she would face in a demonic battle.
He nodded, though not as convinced as he wished, releasing her soft hands, only to embrace her quickly.
Youko didn't know why he did it. Perhaps he could sense her fear, and wanted only to support her, but he felt this went deeper than he wished to venture. And at the moment, he knew it would not be wise to mistake empathy for the desire to hold her.
As for Adina, she merely gave into the urge to be held. Her master had ceased to comfort her the day she began to train her, calling it "child's treatment". Dropping her head to his shoulder, she allowed her tenseness to evaporate, making her as relaxed as possible for the situation presented.
Drawing away, she forced him to face her before mentally thanking him, knowing something needed to be said, yet feeling the ability to physically speak flee from her once more.
Though the mood around them was relatively uncomfortable, there was no awkwardness surrounding them. On the contrary, both were satisfied with their actions, though the reason for being so still haunted them quite a bit.
Heading out, the two kitsunes made their way to the entrance of the encampment, high hopes of victory surrounding both them and the rest of the residents. For all had come to realize the importance of this single battle.
The death of the Yakusho would assure the tribe's dominance within the region, and would be defined by the end of the gang's everlasting reign of terror that had long plagued the area.
"Far too long have they clutched the land and its people within their greedy claws," Youko reflected.
The majority of his mercenaries, geishas included, had been under the mercy of their lot. Truly, while he himself was far from being a saint, the leaders of their gang took no pity on lost or weak souls, torturing and murdering whom they saw fit.
Youko allowed the strangest misfit to live among them as long as they pledged true allegiance to him and his men. No more was asked or required.
Adina looked back at him, sensing his troubled thoughts, and nodded her condolence, before returning her gaze forward where she assumed the air-driven death was being blown their way.
For quite some of time, all seemed to be at a stand still. Each being was prepared for battle, yet remained in there own thoughts until their leader spoke up.
"Now is the time," Adina heard him quietly mumble under his breathe.
Raising her head, she caught sight of the distant cloud of purple, almost black smoke-like substance.
"Alright. Your men are all within the boundaries of the wall?"
"Yes. Your way is clear."
She nodded, before entwining her fingers and pressing her thumbs as well as index together tightly, lowering them to chest level. Her eyes began to glow brilliantly blue just as the night before during her dream, and her body was suddenly enclosed with a violet aura, which proceeded to flood through the ground. The light then ceased to move after coming upon the defending walls to the camp, where they began immediately ascending, climbing up and passed them, until a dome-shaped veil of light protected the entire arena.
All of a sudden, a backlash struck Adina, which not only made the barrier waver momentarily, but also forced her to her knees. Youko quickly hurried to her side, placing his hands upon her trembling shoulders to steady her.
"I'm fine," her voice echoed through his mind, "I merely forced it to form faster than I could handle."
"You're sure you're alright?" he asked her, concern evident in his mental voice.
She laughed lightly within the confines of their minds, though it did not show on her actual face, "I have dealt with far worse, but in this weakened state, I dare not move if I hope to keep the barrier up. I must ask your assistance to move me into an easier position until it can be brought down."
He agreed, helping her move to sit cross-legged, startled that her body still moved, even free of her own will.
When he was sure she would be all right, he returned to his men's side to discuss battle strategy, beckoning Shito over to him.
"So it is understood? Once the poison smog evaporates, Adina shall lift the barrier, and we shall charge into battle. I recommend that no one attempt anything foolish with that force field, for I have no guarantee whether it's side effects would prove deadly for our side as well if touched."
"You have nothing to worry about from me. The barrier can release a shock wave similar to my attacks, but only if I choose to use it in such a way."
"Thank you for clarifying," he told her wryly, "But I wasonly trying to intimidate them."
"Just trying to help, sheesh, it's not like I have anything else to focus on."
"You are paying attention to the barrier I hope since, after all, our lives depend on it."
"Oh, once it's stable, I can basically sit here for hours, daydreaming, actually, that's how I've gotten through some of the tasks Laquia thrown at me."
"How interesting, but could you save the stories for a more appropriate time?"
She mentally sighed, "Fine, whatever suits you best. Oh, by the way, the disrespectful man from earlier is trying to talk to you."
Frustratingly, he turned his immediate attention to Shito, mentally cursing about annoying psychics.
"Sir, there has been something on my mind for a while now," he said, waiting for Youko's attention to replace itself on him before continuing, "Based on some factors of this attack, I'm beginning to suspect a traitor among us."
"How insightful of you Shito. If I had believed you to be this perceptive, I would've discussed this with you sooner. Now please, enlighten me with your knowledge."
He could clearly see Shito's eye slightly twitch out of annoyance for being thought of in such a low avenue. But he quickly recovered, clearly recognizing the big chance to redeem himself in Youko's eyes.
"I believe the treacherous demon could be one of the under-estimated faction of our tribe. Most likely someone who would remain close to ideal information, but not be included in anything too bloody."
"You're thinking a geisha. With your earlier assumptions of a woman's power, I find it unlikely you've experienced an epiphany."
"No, but as sly as they are, not to mention double-crossing, it is the most likely choice."
"Not that I share your female paranoia, but I think you may be on to something," he told him, amusement clear. "The question is who?"
"I could give you a wild guess," Adina once more entered his mind.
"I'm listening," he told her irritated.
"She's about to attack you from behind, so I wouldn't waste time getting mad at me."
He spun around rapidly, in time to dodge an oncoming on slot of water.
"Oh dear, I thought I had you," Mizu said unbothered, looking over her nails.
"You were working for them this whole time? Never would've thought with how much you concerned yourself with pleasuring men. Tell me, how did you find the time?" he mocked.
She merely laughed, "My, you never loose your nerve, do you master Youko? Shame you wouldn't have me, you would've been a fun one, indeed."
Youko swore he heard Adina growl angrily in his head, but shook it off as his imagination, before he told her, "Yes, you did try to get me drunk a few many times. I assume for information as well?"
"You're too smart for me, stubborn as well. It wouldn't suit me to kill an adorable creature such as you, but you've already proven too troublesome to keep," she flipped her hair out of her face.
"Though that does not mean I will allow you to escape before I've at least enjoyed a good fight with you."
"And yet you attacked me from behind."
"Well, think of it this way. If you had fallen, you wouldn't have been worth my time anyway."
Suddenly Shito jumped into the air, landing behind her, where he embedded his sword into her midsection.
She sputtered a bit of blood from the corner her mouth before it turned swiftly into water, along with her wound, and once more formed healthy skin.
"Now, now, Shito. Is that any way to repay me for all those nights you sought my company?" she giggled.
"What in the devil are you?"
"Do you wish to see," she whispered. Flinging her hand out by her side, she twirled her hands around, conjuring the wet element from the earth below her feet. With her other, she tossed what appeared to be a packet of dust-like toxin into it, turning it a sick purple.
Spreading it equally throughout, she suddenly forced it in waves toward Shito, who managed to get out of the way in time, but unfortunately, the men standing around him were not so lucky.
They were doused with the solution, creating open wounds upon their previously clear skin. Screaming in agony, some fell to the ground and began writhing like a snake lit on fire. The stronger or less exposed demons, however, charged her in rage and pain.
Almost bored, Mizu once more lifted her hand in their direction.
Shito called out, "You fools, stay away from her!"
But he was too late, for she once more sent her attack towards them. This time, though, instead of merely splashing the toxic mixture on them, she surrounded them, an aquarium with the exception of glass.
As they all perished within, Mizu, unconcerned with the torturous death around her, focused instead on the barrier.
"How bothersome. But I could've sworn I attained no information of a demon with such an ability," her eyes narrowed upon the crouched form before it, "Aw, the new one, of course. I shall take great pleasure in this."
Youko fiercely snapped his whip at her, which she slowed with a torrent of water enough to lazily walk around it.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Is she yours?" she taunted, "Don't worry, I just have to kill her to remove that pesky barrier, then you can have her body."
He snarled at her, "You would find it in your best interest to focus on our fight, otherwise you'll find yourself inanimate."
"I do believe I detect anger in your voice, master Youko. She's for keeps, I assume? Oh well, you're cute, my lord, but I won't allow her to live just for your happiness."
"I dare you to try it," he threatened menacingly.
"Youko, what the hell is going on?"
"This isn't the best of times, Adina."
"Lend me your eyes."
"I believe I may need them right now."
"Don't be stupid, I'll be looking through you, not your actual eyes, you'll be able to see perfectly fine."
"Alright."
Surprisingly, he didn't feel any different, but he did sense her presence within him.
Mizu tilted her head slightly, wondering why her current subject of entertainment was so imbedded in his own thoughts.
"She's talking to you, isn't she? I recall Reico telling one of the other men of that particular talent: telepathy. Very interesting," she purred. "And I'm guessing she can see this too, no?"
She pointed her long fingers once more in the direction of Youko's men, but when she looked into his eyes with hate, she was looking at Adina, not him.
Though she was enjoying herself, she had a schedule to follow. Ending their lives was a simple task, but the most entertaining one was yet to come.
Her other hand began to raise new water from the deceased demons she had previously slain, though she did not contaminate it. Instead, Mizu directed it to Adina's body, which still remained by the guarded entrance of the encampment. Wrapping it around the upper half of Adina's body, the seductress planned to drown her.
Youko felt the immediate change as Adina desperately ripped her self from his mind to once more connect herself with her body. Which was a good thing too, because her physical self was on automatic, breathing normally for her. Adina stopped this quickly, as to not inhale the water into her lungs.
"What a pity. And here I thought I had her," Mizu muttered, becoming slightly annoyed.
"Wench. You should think better to defeating me before moving to your next kill," Youko growled menacingly.
"But don't you see Youko?" she suddenly changed her voice to that of threatening, "With her as your weakness, I now have a very large advantage over you. Not to mention my barrier problem will die along with her now that her air supply is cut," she smirked.
"Forgot about me did you? I'm deeply wounded that my own slut would leave me out of such an important matter," Shito called her attention.
"Still alive, are you? Yes, your slut I might have been, but I feel no conflictions with ending your life."
"Good to know we are on the same track," he turned to Youko, "Hey, make sure the barrier doesn't go down, or I'll come back and haunt you for the rest of your days."
Shito pulled out his weapon once more, and ran towards her once more.
"Men are so foolish," Mizu said simply, letting her right arm float up to send water into his eyes, nose, mouth, and even ears, effectively drowning him. But his purpose played off correctly, for he buried his sword into the side of her skull and pulled out a small dagger to plunge into her chest before he succumbed to death.
Youko looked back only once to see his soldier, and though he would deny it, friend, give his life for all he originally pledged for.
"Thank you," he murmured his good-bye. Taking advantage of her sudden distraction of pulling together, he kneeled beside Adina.
"How long can you hold out?"
"Not long, my body exhaled before I could stop it. Is there a way to remove this thing?"
"I doubt it. It appears our friend has thought of everything."
"Not everything. I sense an approaching presence, and it feels like an ice demon."
"You can sense a demon's powers?"
"Sometimes, but mostly elementals, due to their strong attachment to their power."
Youko caught sight of the "ice elemental", another geisha, and one of Adina's friends. Reading his mind, she called out, "Douji!"
"Douji?" he questioned, recognizing her.
"Master Youko, take care of her, I'll deal with this traitor!" Any sign of youth that had once existed was diminished, and its place was that of a powerful demon, and beyond that, a grown woman.
Douji jumped from her place upon the roof, landing in a graceful crouch. She glared defiantly at Mizu, standing her full height.
"I've been waiting for a chance at your neck for quite some time now," she whispered, her eyes cold and frosty as the ice she was to conjure.
"I bet you have, shrimp," Mizu sneered, "And look at that, your power by nature has an enormous advantage over mine. How embarrassing it would be for you to lose in such a fixed fight."
But instead of succumbing to her bait and allowing herself to become enraged, Douji merely snickered at her. "Don't be so sure of yourself, Mizu, it will only be harder for you to accept defeat."
Meanwhile, as they swapped insults and attacked each other, Youko moved to face Adina's front. The uncontaminated liquid encompassed her entire head, making her hair sway lightly as if a wind was dancing through it.
Though the glow within her eyes never dimmed, he could slightly see the fear growing within them.
"Youko, what's happening?"
"Your friend has taken battle with her. Never mind them for now, do you have any ideas about the water?"
"What is the poison doing?"
He looked above them, the thick evil presenting the answer for him crystal clear.
"It is only just beginning to disperse."
"Youko, I can't hold my breath any longer!"
"Hold on."
Carefully, he stuck his hand into the substance and wearily pulled it out. Satisfied that the water sorceress was too preoccupied to notice what he was doing, he took a hold of Adina's cheek gently, as not to scratch her with his clawed hands.
"Youko, what are you doing?"
"Calm down, I won't let anything happen to you."
Trusting his word, she quieted her mind as he plunged his face into the water, and pressed his lips against her softer ones.
Since his eyes were open he could see her glowing eyes widen, and then flicker before closing. Relieved he had not startled her into releasing the barrier, Youko forced the air from his own lungs slowly into hers.
Resisting the urge to remain where he was, he withdrew from the water, noting her eyes slide half way open, and for a moment believed she was actually staring at him before they regained their normal state.
Shaking the water from his hair, Youko switched his gaze once more to the battle between the two angry women, before he rising to assist. Suddenly his face became that of a thoughtful one.
"Adina, I have an idea. If Douji and I can bring her to the barrier..."
It took her moments to respond, as she was still recovering from the shock of receiving "mouth to mouth".
She finally shook it off saying, "Then I can shock her into submission. I'll inform Douji."
The task was a great deal more challenging than she thought it would be. Douji believed Mizu was using her "witchcraft" to freak her out, and mentally blocked Adina's every attempt to enter her mind. That was until Youko rejoined the fight, and she continued to pursue the mental connection.
"Adina?"
"About time you let me in. Youko has a plan to defeat her."
Youko summoned his plants from beneath to restrain Mizu's movement, but anytime he came close, she would merely spread her water around her, letting it engorge the plant's vines with the tainted substance.
Mizu shook her head playfully, "My lord, this game is indeed getting old. Shall we try something new?"
Once more twirling her hand in a circling motion, her element surrounded him as it did the others, though it did not actually touch him. Mizu quickened her pace, the water merely following her lead as it created a tornado of liquid around him.
Smirking evilly, she stepped forward, licking her lips as she did so.
"It would be such a shame to simply kill you here, when I haven't had the pleasure of spending more…quality time with you," she purred. Glaring at her continuously, Youko did not budge, except for the simple raise of an eyebrow.
"You're disgusting, a whore through and through, selling your soul and body for money and attention."
"But don't you see? My talents were much more appreciated with the Yakoshu. I can seduce just about any man, and am smart enough to make a difference with the information I retrieve. You cannot expect me to believe that you have never desired such a woman," she laughed. However, she stopped shortly after, as the thorn covered vines clawed upwards from the ground beneath her, around her, and then through her.
"I cannot deny that a man's body would hunger for such a thing, but I myself would never allowed such filth to control me," Youko stated simply as her cyclone of water fell limp to the ground.
Breathing shakily and choking on her blood, Mizu glared weakly at him saying, "You cannot kill me with such weak tactics."
"Probably not, but I can bet anything to hell that it hurts."
She shuddered before laughing hysterically.
"I truly expected this of you, my lord," she sneered, "To be brutal and enjoy your enemy's suffering. It is your very nature, you heartless bastard!"
He narrowed his gaze on her before murmuring, "If I am so terrible than perhaps I should kill you, since your boss, after all, is much worse. This failure will have you locked up and tortured, making me all the more merciful to grant you the peace of death."
He moved towards her once more, pulling out one of his newly update poisons. Slowly, he poured it over the gaping wounds created by his plant, and watched them sizzle and burn.
Shrieking from the stinging pain it caused, she screamed, "I can give you whatever information you want!"
Stopping at her plea, he looked upon her face questionably.
"And what of your knowledge would I find myself interested in?"
Mizu gazed up at him pathetically, whimpering from the thorns that were still deeply lodged into her flesh, the blood flowing freely.
"Let me down and I'll tell you," she said weakly.
"As you wish," he said, lowering her down, while retracting the vines from her limbs.
She fell weakly to the ground, before supporting herself enough to rest on her knees. Letting her head fall to her chest, her body shook slightly as she struggled to close the agonizingly deep wounds that had at one time been no threat.
"Speak now, else I shall have to force you with pain once more," Youko threatened.
Mizu looked up at him, malice ringing through her eyes. A smile slowly spread over her, dripping with a hate yearning for the suffering of others, particularly him.
"She is truly of the Yakusho." Youko thought unpleasantly seeing this.
Quickly, and almost effortlessly, the elemental healed her wounds, jumped to her feet, and sent a large wave of the poisoned water towards him once more.
"Fool," Youko said shifting easily to the side, revealing Douji waiting for the perfect chance to strike.
A large grin upon her face, the ice demon froze the tainted substance over, causing it to drop heavily in front of her. Douji raised an eyebrow skeptically at her enemy, confidence radiating off of her.
"Well that didn't do much, did it?" Not waiting for an answer, she walked forward carelessly, "From the fact that your wounds become water before healing, I can tell that your body consists of mostly of liquid, more so than around the 80 that most people possess."
"And your point?" Mizu snarled.
"My point is that I can freeze your insides, making your little healing trick basically worthless."
"Try it then, if you're so confident."
"Oh, but you see, you withheld information that you swore to my lord that you would deliver, so that he could release you. Killing you would not help him as much as it would help me. Which is why we move on to plan B."
Another plant rose from beneath her feet, only this time they were simple vines rather than a torturous and thorn covered one. When Mizu tried to poison them as she had before, however, Douji immediately froze her efforts.
They wrapped around her, tightening their grip at her resisting. Coming to a dramatic stop, they grew in height and slammed the water witch into the defending barrier. Adina grew even brighter from her seat at the entrance, as the spot Mizu came into contact with sent shockwaves of pain through her.
However, something happened that no one expected. Instead of losing consciousness, the captive ceased struggling and changed her body completely into water, sliding down over the vines. Her body reformed as she jumped down, and upon landing, sent a torrent of water straight for Douji, the intention to kill the same way as she had Shito.
The attack never came. In a black flash of darkness, another demon stood in the attack's pathway, where it was deflect by the quick spinning of a chain and pendant.
Shocked, Mizu backed away, but didn't get far before she was once more sent to the barrier, where she once more broke into the form of her mastered element, and sank into the ground from which she had originally conjured it.
"It is good to see you my friend. Tell me, was my following of our rivals still not worth the trouble?" Kuronue questioned Youko.
"So you were right. They indeed were up to something. Happy?" Youko said, a smirk upon his face.
"Excuse me? What was that? I do believe the old fox admitted he was wrong. Can I get that a wee bit louder?" Kuronue taunted, his signature smile of mania upon his face.
"Don't push your luck," Youko said over his shoulder with a slight laugh.
"Where'yah going Youko? Oh yeah, I forgot about your girlfriend," he teased. Hearing the sound of someone clearing their throat, Kuronue turned to see Douji waiting impatiently for his attention.
"Hey, you alright kid? Cat got your tongue?" he joked.
"Kuronue…" she growled under breath.
"Still have issues with being related to a child?"
"It would appear to be that way, smart one," she glared, "But none-the-less, thank you for finally putting that bitch in her grave."
His expression suddenly turned serious. Well as serious as you could get with him anyway.
"She's not dead, not by a long shot. You saw her body return to its unstable form. Sneaky woman probably wormed her way through the ground right passed your friend's barrier," his mood switched almost immediately into one of comical interest, "By the way, what is going on with the little foxes?"
Douji only laughed, " Oh, you won't get anything good from of me. Those two are too quiet with their feelings for their own good. Well, actually, more our good then theirs."
As the two laughed behind their friend's backs Youko helped Adina onto her feet, the barrier still sapping great quantities of her strength to remain fluent. His eye twitched slightly as he heard their remarks.
"Serves me right for letting those two near each other."
Adina meanwhile, choose to remain oblivious to her rescuers' words, being as weak as she was. Besides, she had much more important matters to attend to than annoying gossip.
Leaning fully on him for support, she only just realized that her entire upper half was sopping wet, and that the cold water was giving her the chills. She was not only soaked through, but her companion's hair was dripping threads of water as well, a reminder of his streak of quick thinking that still left her breathless even now.
Deciding not to put too much thought into it for now, she allowed him to lead her to the others, who were in the midst of conversation. As they turned to see them, both grinned, shared a quick glance, and fell into fits of laughter.
"And what could be so funny at a time like this?" Youko asked them while passing, a look of suspicion upon his face.
"Oh, nothing, we were just wondering…" Douji started.
"Why both of you were wet," Kuronue finished, both returning to their maniacal giggling.
"Definitely need to separate these two if I want to survive with my sanity."
"You're telling me."
Both sighed in agreement, shaking heads all the same. Then both smirked, looking at the other knowingly and mentally spoke at the same moment.
"Or bring them closer together."
"If they are too busy with one another…" Adina started.
"Then they won't have time for us. I knew great minds think alike."
They then started laughing themselves, earning confused looks from their friends. Ignoring their questions, both slowly made their way to Youko's hut, but not before an order to send out the men later was given to Kuronue.
"I just got here, and you're ordering me around already!" he whined.
"You better believe I am. And don't complain, since you skipped out on the beginning of the battle, sneaking around like the freak you are," he added under his breath, " Now, when Adina finds it safe to put down the barrier, I'll have her mentally contact you, then the rest is up to you."
"Why aren't you coming back after she puts down the barrier, Youko?" he snickered to him as he left, "I bet she'll be perfectly fine after the barrier goes down. Or do you to need to pick up where you left off."
Narrowly dodging the rock that was sent for his head, Kuronue continued laughing. That was until Adina hit her mark with a boulder ten times the size, silencing him easily.
"I thought you couldn't use your power right now," Youko said, a smirk upon his face.
"Somehow, it appears I found the strength," she laughed tiredly.
With that, they headed to Youko's hut to relax for a little bit, leaving behind an unconscious Kuronue and Douji struggling to remove the boulder.
Ok, so you all know that Kuronue was the one that Adina thought she saw in the corner of her eye in the beginning, yes? Good. So, yeah, the longest chapter I've ever made. Wow. Hope you all enjoyed it, and didn't think I went over board with the comedy in this one, but with Kuronue, the mood just has to lift a few feet. Plus I just got home from watching my friends in an improv game, so I'm a wee bit on the…um….amused side, we'll say.
Love yah all!
Adria of The Demon Sisters