To Asilin Kheldarson: Si-Fi? That's a new one. I was sort of thinking angst, but once Act Three starts, it's going to be more humor and action and slight romance than anything else. sigh I guess I'll just change the catergory with each new chapter I put out.
WARNING!!!!
If you are the type of reader who like to have their characters whole, health, and most importantly, ALIVE, then please take care reading this chapter. Better not to read it at all. But IF you do, and hate it, then don't come flaming to me; I've already have this warning up, so it's none of my business if you don't like what you read.
Chapter Thirteen: Midnight Sunrise; Questions and Answers
The water rippled as the pebble struck, running out in delicate waves, lapping against the gravel shore. Picking up another small rock, amber orbs gazed into the dark waters. The stone rested in her palm, fingers tracing the dents and edges of the rock. A breeze picked up, carrying in it a faint hint of late blooming rose. Her lips twitched softly, well, at least it's better than the stench of petrol or waste or like. Leaning back against the ancient trunk of a oak, she glanced over at the kitsune. After their little "conversation" over his, um... preference, Roviel proceeded to ask the red-head to fill her in on everything that have happened in the past five years. He didn't answer, but took her on a trip around the city.
The startling changes swamped her senses. Gone the cars and night-life. No longer did shops stay open late into the night, or how party-goers crowded the streets. Instead, it was deserted. The shops, or what's left of them, were barred with wood and metal. But that didn't do them any good, for nearly all of the shops looked as if a stampede of bulls had passed through, the walls long crumbled and their contents scattered and trampled.
Cars littered the street, those metal machines that she used to despise so much. There they lay, sad remains shattered and strewn carelessly across the roads. Some were still standing, but the absence of windows, doors and most of their interiors made them a pitiful sight. It would have been better if someone had just stacked all these pieces somewhere in one large heap. But here they stood, a sad reminder of what they once were, how much they were loved.
But all these were nothing compared to the city itself. Once tall and magnificent, it now was nothing more than half-collapsed rubble not much different to some places she's seen in Makai. Only a few houses and apartments stood, many showing signs of numerous repairs. Lights flickered through half-shattered windows, many taken on a more fiery appearance than any electric powered light-bulb.
But even more amazing was the fact that youkais were everywhere. They met two, the pair drunk and roaming the streets, roaring with laughter as they smashed their way through what's left of a shopping mall. They hid in the shadows until the youkais passed, a rose in Kurama's hand and a hard look on his face as he pinned her to the wall. It was not until the pair was well and truly gone did Kurama release his grip on Roviel. Confused, she opened her mouth, but he shook his head, and gestured for them to keep walking.
They kept walking, each turn assaulting her with yet more images of destruction and the presence of youkais. Finally they stopped, the two standing before a duck pond in a public park. He stood behind her, gazing up at the sky while she threw stones into the pond. Finally she stopped this meaningless exercise, twirling round and glaring Kurama, narrowed orbs of sun-dipped fawn keeping their hold on those eyes of summer green.
"What happened? Why is there youkais running round on Nigenkai? Where are all the people? Why did you take me on the trip? Tell me!"
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He looked at her now, looked and saw the confused anger in those dawning gaze. It's been a long time since he remembered seeing any true emotion in her eyes. But then again, that was perhaps true for all of them. In a way, he was glad that she had a flashback, glad that, even for a tiny moment in her life, Roviel had forgotten that incident.
"Well? I'm waiting!"
Still he did not answer, but turned and started to walk off again. She caught up with his easy enough, and continued to glare at him.
"Where are you taking me now? Better not be some crap-hole like this place again!"
"Actually, I thought it would be nice if we returned home."
"...Oh..."
They walked in silence, her footsteps sound behind his. He grinned at this. Since when did Roviel ever walk behind anybody? My, life has changed...
"There are no more buses, so I'm afraid we will have to walk back. I apologize for this."
He's blabbering now, talking nonsense. But it's so hard to say, to tell her...
"The youkais destroyed more or less all the transportations. Only the trains, boats and planes were left. They are for the lower class youkais, ones who can't run across the continent without rest or fly over the ocean to another country."
Up in one of the windows, a light went out, and a quite sobbing reached their ears.
"A strange truce is made on the transportations. Humans and youkais can settle on the one plane or boat, and neither race can harm another. Perhaps it's the fact that youkais can't be bothered to learn how to operate the machines, and so need humans to make it work for them. But still... it's never safe."
He stopped for a moment, listening back to Roviel, sharp ears trying to catch any hint of emotion. Gaining nothing, he began talking again.
"They came all suddenly, even Reikai couldn't stop them. But then again, at that time Reikai had their hands full with the revolute in Makai. In two hours the United Nations called a official state of emergency. Within the first 24 hours, Nigenkai had surrendered to the youkai onslaught. It happened so fast that no one had time to react. Or that's what I heard from Youko and Yuki. I wasn't there, none of us was. We were on that mission..."
He turned a corner, noticing out of the corner of his eye that the pile of rubble was once Meiou High, his school.
"It started normal enough; two years ago there was a disturbance in one of the levels of Makai. Huge explosions were noted as well as a sudden increase in Youki. Koenma sent all of us there. Youko didn't come, but I don't think I needed to tell you that. Yuki on the other hand was almost screaming to be allowed to go. She argued that it was not in the least dangerous, and that the whole of Reikai Tentai would be accompanying her. It was a very promising argument, that's for sure. But in the end she was still not allowed to go... Now I'm glad that she didn't go, didn't experience..."
His steps slowed, allowing Roviel her catch up with the kitsune. But she didn't pass him, instead shortened her steps so that they were nearly, but not quite, side by side. He understood her meaning. I am here, listening. Please do go on, but only if you wish. Who would have though that she could be courteous?
"We went over to the place, finding that the source of the disturbance was in an underwater cave. It was like a maze down there, and if it wasn't for Kuwabara's sensing skills I do not think we would have reached our destination..."
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They walked in, the five of them alert for any hint of danger. The cave was large, gigantic even. They've been walking for three hours to get this far, to the center of the underwater cave. It was quiet, no sound whatsoever. The occasional drip of water mingled with the sound of breathing filled the ear, too loud against the dense stillness. Sand crunched underfoot, gravel grinding against each other beneath the pressure.
Suddenly the lights came, dazzling brightness that swarmed into the cavern. Kuwabara yelped at the light blinded his eyes. Yusuke swore, but then again, what could one expect from him? The other three acted upon instinct, eyes closed until they adjusted while listened attentively for any sound of movement.
"My my my. Trespassers are we? And human too! Oh dear, what has Makai become these days, to allow humans walk here."
A figure walked out from the shadows, stepping gracefully around the group. She, for there was no doubt the youkai was a female, inspected each of the Reikai Tentai with a bored eye. Suddenly she stopped, sniffing in disdain at what she saw. One elegant hand rose to tuck strands of silver streaked hair behind one ear while the other rose to her mouth as she covered a fake yawn.
Hiei growled at this, one hand to the hilt of his katana as his knees bent for the attack. But Yusuke beat the fire apparition to it as a huge ball of Reiki hurdled towards the strange youkai. Well considering he's the King-In-Waiting for one third of Makai, obviously he's gotten stronger than back in high school
She didn't move from her spot, inspecting her filed nails as the attack shot towards her. Just as it looked as if she was about to be consumed by the Reiki, the youkai raised one hand and simply swatted at the attack. It turned, crashing to the wall to her right and sending blocks of mineral rich rock flying through the air. Heaving an exaggerated sigh, the youkai gazed over at them with her lavender-blue eyes.
"Such rudeness, charging into someone else's residence without a hint of apology, and then attacking the host? Is this how everybody is like now days? I know I have been gone for over twelve millenniums, but this sort of treatment is unspeakable!"
Only Hiei and Kurama were listening to her speech, the other three simply gawked at the three meter wide hole Yusuke's Spirit Gun had created. Ever since becoming the official heir to one third of Makai, Yusuke had been training day and night. His powers had grown at an enormous rate and could almost compare to that of the three rulers.
But she blocked the hit, a hit that would have been dangerous even for an S class youkai. But this youkai, this strange female, had simply flicked it away as if it was nothing more than some annoying insect. How was that possible?
"My dear, I heard a sound of crashing. Are you hurt?"
Another youkai appeared, this one blinking into existence with the speed of the wind. As fast as Hiei? Most likely...
While the female looked every inch as dangerous and deadly as a sleeping feline, her male counterpart could not be more different. He stood there, bold and outright, a rapier clear by his side and several daggers hanging off his belt. Teal green orbs glared at them, taking in and judging each of the intruders. Finally he spoke up.
"Why are you here? I sense a human with much power, three youkais, and another human. But this one has both Youki and Reiki."
At this point he glared at them, Yusuke in particular.
"You are from Reikai, are you not? Only someone who have greeted death and come back is able to tap into both Youki and Reiki. Does that mean you work for Reikai, for the bastard Enma-sama and whoever is his heir? Speak!"
Roviel winced at the loud yell. The cave was large and spacious, not to mention made entirely out of stone. Sound tend to bounce here... Yusuke grinned while Kuwabara cracked his knuckles. Hiei glared at the two in his usual stony silence and Kurama retained the customary coolness of the kitsune's. Rolling his neck in circles, the toushin nodded at the male youkai.
"Yea, we help them. I'm a Reikai Tentai, and so is my team. You got a problem with that?"
Apparently he did, for he charged at them, a dirk and kris drawn from his belt and were clutched tight in his hands. They were prepared, and were able to move out of his way, just. He was fast, Hiei fast. Skidding to a stop, Roviel glared at the nearest person, who happened to be Kurama.
"Who the bloody hell are they? She blocked Yusuke's attack with one hand and he's as fast, if not faster, than Hiei! I thought Koenma said that this was an easy mission!"
Hearing this, the female laughed, a shivering chime of crystals twinkling through the air.
"Oh dear me. You do not know us, and yet you still came here? Well, I suppose it would be terribly rude of us if we were to let you die without even knowing why. Let me introduce us. I am Chiko, and Hatoro there is my mate..."
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"It was later, much later, when we found out the truth of the matter. Chiko and Hatoro were youkais who existed twelve thousand years ago. Back then, the power of youkais were unimaginable. An S class to us would be nothing more than a mere C to them, low B at best. And those two were the strongest of their time. Back then, Hatoro had conquered nearly all of the levels of Makai, planning to unite all tribes and clans under his rule. He might have been strict and harsh, but no one could call him cruel. As it was, Hatoro was painfully fair, down to the last hair. Of cause, when one person became more powerful, things such as assassinations and political backstabbing are inevitable. Chiko took care of that, she was in the dark pulling the political strings while Hatoro commanded the light, ordering the more military half of their empire. They made a great pair, perfect even. But just when it was going so well, things came apart.
For you see, Reikai knew of Hatoro and Chiko's plans and they were afraid. The whole reason Reikai had been able to keep Makai in relative control was the fact that all the youkais were scattered, loyal to a selected few and no one else. If Hatoro manage to unite all of Makai under him, then Reikai would not stand a chance if he decides to attack. And so Reikai though up of a plan to eliminate this horrifying menace.
I do not know how Reikai managed to capture both Chiko and Hatoro, for it was top secret information of the highest kind, one that is not allowed to be written or recorded, but remembered in one's head. But in the end Reikai succeeded, managing to imprison the pair in an eternal coma, their bodies buried in a ruin where Time stood almost still. Enma-sama did not have the strength to kill both of them, for their powers could nearly rival that of the gods. But what he could do was to give his own life in order to bind theirs. And so they slept, bound under the spell where time stopped, and stayed there for over twelve thousand years.
The full reason why the spell was broken is still unknown. Theories that the recent disturbances with the barriers between worlds might have affected the time barrier around the ruin, making it weaker. But who knows. Koenma never told us this, he did not know until it was too late. So we went there into the cave, not knowing what we were up against."
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"Spirit Gun!"
A massive ball of blue Reiki blasted at its target, who dodged it with ease. Landing lightly on the ground, Hatoro turned just as the flash of a naked blade cut down upon his. Baring his fangs in a silent snarl, Hiei jumped back from his failed attack, crouching low before rushing off again. While Hatoro's attention was on Hiei, Yusuke charged suddenly from the side, right fist aimed at the youkai's face. All he hit was empty air. Stumbling, Yusuke turned, eyes wild as he tired to find... There, behind him! He reacted, turning to block the punch. But the toushin was far too slow...
If the reader thought that Hiei and Yusuke were having a hard time, then perhaps they should turn their attention upon the remaining three members of the Reikai Tentai, who were finding it extremely difficult to land a hit upon their target. Growling in frustration, Kuwabara charged once again at Chiko.
"Spirit Sword... BITCH! LET GO!"
His blade came crashing down, only to be stopped by her hand. Swearing and yelling, Kuwabara strained as he tried to pull his blade out. Seeing this chance, Roviel ran forward, Youki gathered in her palm as she jumped in for a hit.
"I'll let you go then, if that's what you wish."
Chiko shrugged, tossing Kuwabara by his sword towards Roviel. She dodged the boy, but this action caused her to lose precious momentum. Landing, she dared a glance back at the orange-top and winced. He had gone through several thick stone walls, and laid unconscious many meters away. Damn it all, they need to win, and fast.
Breathing fast, one amber eye caught a movement to her right. Kurama was in place, some feet behind Chiko with his Rose Whip ready. He glanced at her, and she blinked in response. Ready... Set...
Roviel pounced at Chiko, glaive aimed at her throat. She responded automatically, hand rising to block... Only to fall short. Behind her, Kurama pulled against his Rose Whip, which was secured tightly round both of Chiko's arms. Roviel grinned, glaive raised for that final hit.
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The streets here seemed familiar to her, as if she's walked them before. Strange... But she did not think about that, her mind pondering over what Kurama had just said. She still could not believe it, that there were youkais that powerful...
"What happened next?"
She spoke for the first time since he began this story. Kurama continued his slow pace, eyes glued to the ground. Finally, some sign that Roviel wanted to know more, activity wanted to know. He was lost whether to tell her or not, not wanting to spoil what little time she had, totally oblivious to that mission. But now, since she asked, he could continue tell her the whole story without feeling guilty. Somewhere deep down, a part of him grieved over this decision, knowing just how selfish he had become, how self-centered and cold and unfeeling he's become, knowing that it was just another excuse to lay the blame on someone else...
"We were so naïve, thinking that we could defeat them. How could someone even think that, when we were barely keeping up with them when they weren't even using their Youki? In the end, we lost, all five of us falling unconscious. When we woke, each of us was in chained to a dungeon by ourselves, with hoards of youkai who wanted our blood.
It was not Hatoro or Chiko's doing, they simply gave us to those under them, many of which knew us as the Reikai Tentai. I was never sure who was in charge of us, but whoever is was, they made sure to keep us alive just enough so that we could feel pain."
Silver light bathed down from above, the heavens embracing him within her soft arms. She kissed him, her misted lips lingering over the soft red locks, kissing away the pain of the past...
"I do not know how long it was; the notion of day and night could not be found in the caves. And although broken, the spell of Time still lingered within the halls, so that one day in Nigenkai or Makai could be as long as three month inside. To me, every second felt like eternity, every moment of living a horrible agony that lasted longer than infinity. In the end, I gave up. Gave up hoping that somehow we would escape, gave up thinking that this was going to turn out alright, and gave up trying to live. But we were saved, by the most unlikely of person.
We were in different places, chained to different parts of the cave and so had no way of communication. Whoever organized our days there must have known us well. The treatment they dealt out to each person was... personalized. To Hiei, they broke his legs. Pulled the bones out of their sockets and literally smashed them. He's healed, but will never able to run faster than a normal human's speed. What they did to Kuwabara, none of us ever found out. But it was not physical, for scars or wounds were discovered on him. I suspect they poisoned his mind, tainted it with dark words and blooded images that seeped into his mind and soul. In the end he went mad, charging out of his prison and ripping apart anything that stood in his way with his bare hands. Even to this day I thank Inari-sama that Kuwabara retained at least some sanity to recognize and help us back then.
Hearing all the commotion, Chiko and Hatoro came and found that we were escaping. Kuwabara tried to attack them, but he was knocked unconscious with one punch. We were nearly dead, all of us, and were prepared for the worst. Then Yusuke stepped in.
He grinned at us, placed himself in Hatoro's path and turned to face us. He said that no way was he going to die, cause he's done that too many times and all the paperwork were killing him, again. And beside, is he dies then he's positive that his "old man" Raizen, would make sure that his heir is revived. So he wants us to run while we can, and make sure to tell Keiko to wait for him.
Everyone made mistakes at least once in their life. Yusuke just made a bit more than most people. But even his luck could not stretch so far so many times. Those that survived the fight between Hatoro and Yusuke remembered it as clearly as if it had just happened. Although he was known as a Reikai Tentai, Yusuke earned the respect of those who saw his final battle."
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He stopped talking suddenly, halting in front of what appeared to be a odd patch of jungle. Having been fully absorbed in the recount, Roviel crashed into the kitsune. Groaning and rubbing a bruise, she raised one brow at the greenery.
"Where are we?"
To this Kurama smiled, a faint turn of the lips that nearly, but not quite, reflected in his worn eyes.
"This is your house, of cause. Follow me."
And so she followed the fox, walking behind him as the vines and leaf drew back, fanged tentacles unraveling from flesh-eating traps who also gave way to the two. Following the path, Roviel was somewhat surprised when a very familiar looking door greeted her. Behind them, their path closed, deadly and exotic plants returning to their previous positions.
"Why does it look like the apartment building I live in?"
She wasn't sure for the lack of moonlight under the canopy made it hard to see, but for a moment she thought Kurama smirked at her.
"Because this is the apartment building you live in. Except now you are the full owner of the whole building."
She frowned. Since when have the kitsune become such a mocking person? Was it because of the mission? Speaking of the mission...
"So... did Yusuke get revived, like he said he would?"
The smirk faded from his face. Turning, Kurama gazed into the shadowy depth of the jungle.
"Yusuke died that day, and his death will be remembered forever in the history of Makai and Reikai. Having escaped, our first priority was to stay alive. Contacting Reikai was much harder than we expected, and by the time we were able to get to Reikai, two weeks had passed. There, Botan told us the news.
After defeating Yusuke, Hatoro went to seek out the three lords of Makai. For the first time in history, the three Makai lords came together and agreed upon a single thing; to defeat Chiko and Hatoro. All three's forces were sent; Raizen's, Mukuro's and Yomi's. It's been two weeks, and neither side seemed to be winning. Reikai had already send forces in with the thought of defeating Hatoro rather than the lords.
But even the three lord's combined efforts did not win. Finally it came to a showdown; Hatoro and Chiko against Raizen, Mukuro and Yomi. It was a close draw, but in the end Hatoro and Chiko came out victorious.
Without any leader in Makai, the freelance youkais went crazy. Word had gotten out that Reikai had focused all of their fight powers on Hatoro. With that the youkais immediately went after the barrier between Nigenkai and Makai. The lower classes went through first, a slow and steady stream that slid under Reikai's notice. When Reikai had discovered this, it was already too late.
After the fight with the lords of Makai, both Hatoro and Chiko were severally wounded. It was then that Koenma made the ultimate sacrifice. He had felt that everything that happened was his fault, that every death, every lost soul was caused by his mistake for not giving us enough information. And so while both Hatoro and Chiko were down, Koenma did what his ancestor did twelve millenniums ago.
With Koenma and the Makai lords gone, Yusuke's soul was left in Enma-sama's grace. No matter how everyone pleaded, no matter how everyone begged, Enma-sama did not allow Yusuke to be born again."
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The tea smoked lightly, its fragrant scent rose into the air. Sipping the jasmine tea, Roviel turned one eye onto Kurama. The kitsune sat before the fireplace, emerald orbs gazing into the fire. She gazed at his still form for some time, orbs of soft amber absorbing the scene before her. Suddenly he turned, breaking the tranquil silence of the room. Seeing that she was looking at him, the red-head managed a grin.
"What?"
She shook her head, locks of colbat black falling across her vision.
"Nothing. I just can't believe it, that's all."
He didn't respond to her, for similar thoughts of his own were lingering in his mind only moments before. Who would ever have thought, that they would end this way?
"Don't tell me we have to share a bedroom."
"...Pardon?"
One sunlit eye glared at him, its hooded stare unwavering.
"You know full well what I mean fox. I still haven't gotten over the ring factor yet, and if you are going to tell me that I have to sleep in the same room as you..."
Seeing her angry brought memories back to him. Memories of the first time they met, her bewildered and punching the living daylights out of Yusuke. During school, how a single glare from her and his usual fan group would be running in the other direction. His kasan even, when he got back from the "regional competition." only to find Roviel there, chatting with his mother as if making a white lie and talking to other people's family was something the off-world youkai did everyday of her life.
Realizing that he was just sitting there with a faint grin on his face and looking very suspicious, Kurama immediately spoke up.
"No, no. There is no need for you to worry. I have my own study room and bedroom, the same to you. After all, there are six apartments in this building. Although I should add that my bedroom is in the same apartment as yours... for safety reasons, of cause."
He added the last bit hurriedly, for he saw her right eye twitch. She continued her glaring for some time, but finally ended her scrutinizing.
"Fine. But I warn you kitsune, anything strange and I'll be sure to make your death long and painful."
He nodded at this. No matter what time, what world, there are just some things that never change...
Still a little confused? If so, then review and tell me which parts you don't get and I'll be happy to explain in full detail. Till the next chapter then!