Hiei and Kuwabara: Saga of the Dark World
Chapter 20: Revenge
.o.o.o.
"What did you just say?!" The Forest Elder asked as he and Hiei rushed over to the fallen human.
"The Final Ascension of Darkness over Time." He spoke. "What does this mean?" He then asked.
The Elder looked up. "This is as I feared; he means to use the Light Jump Stone's powers to spread his chaos energy through all of time and space." He explained. "The Great Darkness- Universal Entropy."
Hiei stood up. "We need to get back to the village now, so that you can find the second human key to break through the barrier around the castle."
"Yes, of course." The Redhead nodded. He then placed a hand reassuringly on Kuwabara's shoulder. "Listen, this isn't the end, there may just be a chance to stop this." He explained to him.
Kuwabara looked up at him.
"But you must believe in yourself."
The two stood up and joined Hiei for the journey back to the town.
.o.o.o.
Rain watched as his brother stood up- of his own power- and turned to face him. "At last, I'm ready to fight once again."
"Garland, what shall we do?" Rain asked.
The taller of the brothers kneeled down to look him in the eyes, placing a hand on his shoulder. "All we can." He replied. "We have to try and help them stop the Dark Lord once and for all." He added.
Rain nodded, looking at his brother hand on his shoulder, chestnut-colored skin contrasting with the almost ivory-color of his own. "Then, I will help you."
"Are you sure?" Garland asked.
Rain stood up and smiled at him, trying his hardest to sound strong. "As long you are at my side, I know I can strong enough for you."
.o.o.o.
Lin looked out the window, seeing the three figures in the distance. Kuwabara and Hiei appeared to be being followed by a figure of medium-height with red hair. She watched as the stranger pointed in a particular direction and the three of them set out towards the area.
"Father! Sis!" She shouted. "They're back." She added.
Both Bohen and Shera joined her to see what she was looking at.
.o.o.o.
"What do you guys want?" He asked the three figures before him.
The Forest Elder smiled. "It is quiet simple; you will be the 2nd human key to open the energy barrier around the castle." He explained.
Kuwabara sighed, viewed the image of the human youth. The eerie thing was how looked so much like Yusuke. The main difference the strange European slant to his appearance, leaving him fair skinned with blond hair.
"Hey, what's your name?" Kuwabara asked briskly.
"Cassius." He replied.
"I've seen you around here, have you been following us?" Kuwabara asked.
Cassius cleared his throat. "When you arrived, I felt something- as if someone had walked over my grave, so to speak."
Hiei smiled. "Well then, it seems that you shall be going on a little journey with us soon." He informed him.
Cassius paled at the declaration. "B-but, it could be dangerous!" He wailed.
Kuwabara twitched, thinking that he was not exactly like Urimeshi.
.o.o.o.
Lin and the others gathered in the clearing in the middle of town to greet the returning spirit detectives, now joined by a red haired man and a nervous-looking blond haired boy.
As expected, Lin cheerfully attached herself to Kuwabara and fawned over his every word.
Shera silently acknowledged Hiei, hoping that the fire demon could pick up on the affection that she felt for him. She watched his soften suddenly, and sighed feeling him return the gesture through the link. She smiled at the inner warmth that she was picking up from him.
Kuwabara fished around his coat pockets and pulled out a camera. "Wow, I did bring it after all." He spoke as he held it up; Lin looked on curiously as she held onto his other arm.
"Everyone, gather round, group picture!" He explained.
After a few moments of explanation and some awkward shuffling around, everyone was gathered together. Kuwabara set the camera down on a stood and joined the others for the photograph.
He snapped a few more pictures- including one of Lin standing beside him as he snapped it from an outstretched arm and one of a blushing Shera and Hiei who sported a look of complete apathy.
Garland smiled for a picture; Rain standing close to him and smiling nervously.
.o.o.o.
Hiei sat outside, behind the house. He looked on into the barren horizon, suddenly sensing a familiar feminine presence. He felt her rap her arms around him from behind and ease into his form.
"Hiei, when this ends, will you leave?"
He had been afraid of this question inevitably presenting itself. He was silent he considered what to say. Could he turn away from the life he lived in his world? Still, he now had a connection to this world.
"I don't know." He spoke, his words fading back into the silence around them. "I'm trouble, you deserve better then me." He then added.
She shifted around to his side and moved his face to look at her and gently kissed him, her lips softly touching his. "You're just what I've been waiting for." She told him.
He smiled, looking at her unassumingly.
She stood and turned from him, his gaze looked back into the horizon, but this time his lips curved into a smile.
.o.o.o.
Thorn looked up at the painting on the wall, the image of himself, Marth, and the Fire and Ice Brothers. He smiled briefly, and then left the gallery.
The Rose Master entered his chambers once again. He looked at a small table that was adorned with four small statues. He frowned and reached forward to overturn one of them. The small stone figure fell, but something else happened, the statue next to it had apparently been leaning against it, as it fell over as well.
"As I feared." He spoke
.o.o.o.
Hiei smiled to himself as Shera stood up to rejoin the others inside.
"H-Hiei, I see you have remained in good spirits." Spoke a deep voice.
The Fire demon spun around to face the form of a slouched figure. White locks hung over the blue skin of his face; a pair of lips curving into a familiar cruel smile.
Hiei began to advance, but was halted when the figure's cloak slid back- almost of its own will- revealing a single arm holding a terrified girl against him.
"I am Ansul II the Ice Master, born of the seventh family of the Gemini Demon Clan," He spoke methodically. "Son of Lord Ansul-et-Densil and brother of Densil II the Fire Master." He spoke, as he looked at the small demon before him.
"By the ancient rights of Vendetta, I have come to seek my due revenge against the one who has wronged me. You- as a demon of some class must be familiar with what I speak of?" He asked.
Hiei scowled and became still. "If you wish for revenge, then enact it upon me." He replied uneasily.
Kuwabara and the others ran outside to see them.
"Shera?!" Lin exclaimed.
"What is going on?" Bohen called out.
Rain gripped Garland's hand. "Shera?!" The taller brother yelled.
Ansul smiled. "Good, an audience." He remarked, shaking slightly.
"Hiei, when my brother and I were born- we were placed under the opposing signs of Fire and Ice, we were twins, but we were masters of different arts. Densil was a part of me, and I of him, killing him robbed me of half of my own life," He paused.
"But fate was cruel enough to let me live through my disgrace- honor now can only be achieved through my death, and when I die, my brothers soul will be at peace." He explained. "But for now, I remain alive and suffer."
Hiei watched tears slide down Shera's face. "Damnit, let her go, she has no part of this!" He exclaimed. "I accept the responsibility of Densil's death and will bear the punishment." He offered in an attempt to appease the Ice Master. Ansul was weakened, yet he still easily had the power to snap Shera like a twig.
"How noble," Ansul spoke wistfully, looking down at Shera. "She is an innocent in all of this, but in this world, it is the innocent who must suffer for the sins of the wicked." He explained. "As my last act, I declare that you will understand the pain I endure every moment that I am alive- both in my body and in my soul."
"No—" Hiei interjected.
Kuwabara paled, sensing what was about to happen.
"This misery, while brief, has shown me what is to live at these humans do- in fear and loathing- and I want to die now." He frowned. "I must escape this punishment that is upon me for what I have done, but you must also be punished as well."
"Hiei. . ." Shera whispered in a trembling voice.
A sad look passed over Ansul's face. "Learn the fate of those who are left behind!" He screamed as tears ran freely down his face. His energy flared up and an unseen force surged through Shera- the girl cried out and went limp. Ansul's knees buckled and he fell down, the girl slipping from his grip as he fall down face forward.
Hiei lunged forward and caught her as she fell. He then turned as Ansul lifted his head up slightly and looked up at him. "Suffer and endure; know the pane of living in death yet be unable to release yourself." He spoke, his last words as he died- slipping into darkness.
Hiei turned to look into Shera's eyes. "I'm sorry." He spoke as he ran a hand through her hair.
Lin broke into tears and Kuwabara held her.
Garland cradled Rain as the smaller cried out.
Bohen stood, silent and motionless.
Somewhere in the sky, above the smog cover, amidst the immeasurable vastness of space- a star faded away.
We have come full circle.
.o.o.o.
-End of Chapter 20-