Reviewer Responses:
Ballet Kitty-Haha math sucks so much. I think I've gotten every single letter grade so far in that class, I'm all over the place. Well, me and the rest of the class. Personally I don't think the teacher cares if we all fail but maybe that's just me…I'm glad you like Taro, he's such a sweetie. And Yukina's prone to kidnapping because…it fits. This fic sometimes follows the storyline and I thought it would be a good way to introduce Yukina and give an idea of how sinister the Toguro's are. Plus, it shows Hiei's overprotective side for his darling little sister!
TearsofSadness17-Skipping huh? Guess what, you're a lucky duck! I'm not allowed to skip…not fair! Well it's probably better cuz if I missed one day of school I'd have a huge crapload of work that I'd have to make up. Hahaha you missed three tests? I'll say a prayer for you my friend…good luck! Lol, no just kidding I'm sure you'll do fine.
Bookworm0492-Glad you liked Taro! I really like him too! I love Hiei's moods whether he's feeling arrogant, protective, annoyed, or angry, they're all pretty fun! Thanks for doing the favorite line contest!
DeathAngel'sKiss-I know, I hate cliffies too. But to compensate, I made this chapter extra long! I have it all planned out and I think it's going to be pretty good. I don't think they're going to meet up with the Toguro Brother's just yet…it's too soon. Actually, I'm not even sure if Yukina meets Kuwabara in this chapter…
RitSuYue-Wow, I'm glad you actually don't mind how long it takes! I usually wait two or three weeks and even then I feel bad. It makes me happier to know that as long as the chapter is good people don't really care…too much. Thanks for doing the favorite line contest!
Crystal Koneko-Thanks for reviewing even with your headache! Take advil or motrine they may help!
Mel A.T-I agree one hundred percent! Math sucks and should die! Thanks for doing the favorite line, I think yours won so far it seems to be the most popular response.
LivingImpared-Hahaha no I don't think the favorite line can be in the authors notes, but at least I know you read it! I thought that was actually pretty funny, I hate math grrr. Thanks for the support!
Kuwabara99-Hahaha, Yusuke and Kuwabara need the exercise, that's great! I liked Hiei's past better this way somehow…don't really know why but I do. The characters personalities and portrayals are alternated (some more than others) and because of that their relationships are going to be a bit different. I know you're a big Kuwabara/Yukina supporter and they are one of the couples but I'm going to tweak it a bit. Oh, and it's not going to be immediate. Instead, I'm going to build it up, lol.
Angel61991-thanks for reviewing! Hope this was fast enough.
Avigayil Urameshi-Sorry for the cliffy, but it leaves good suspense, no?
KeKe-Kiyos-Daughter-Hahaha sorry about the cliffy!
MystiKoorime-Yep, that counts. Yukina's protective of Taro lol. I'm glad you seem to really like this fic!
Betabonanza-Wow, thanks for reviewing both chapters!
Betabonanza-Thank you thank you!
H/B Always-Hey ditz, what's up? You're cruel to your bf's…at least I'm a nice player lol. Thanks for reviewing, thrilled ya like it! I'm not in the mood to write proper English and I have a whole chapter I need to write bleh. Not fair I tell ya! Ooooh, hiiii kitty! I swear this is the after effects of the donut I ate…DONUUUT my sweet loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…………muwahahaha
BballAnimeLover89-Thanks! You're awesome!
Hiei's girl 06-I'm glad you think the story is getting even better. Hope the update is soon enough for you!
Isis-Awww thank you!
Tales of the Jagan
Chapter 11
Rescue: Complete
OOOOOBotanOOOOOIt had to have been a castle, or the biggest mansion I've ever seen, but whatever it was, it was HUGE in all capital letters. A stonewall was built around the fortress to help block out any unwanted intruders. The castle was dark; the fact that stormy rain clouds hid the sun didn't help to brighten the outlook.
"This is the place we're supposed to storm?" I asked incredulously. It was one thing to set out to rescue someone; it was a whole other ball game to step inside that place. The word suicide rang in my mind loudly.
"Calm down will you? I knew you'd have a nervous fit once we arrived here; I warned you this was no place for little girls," the dark haired demon growled in a displeased fashion.
"Hey back off her, jerk face. Botan's not a high class demon like you, of course she's going to be more precautious about storming a damned mansion," Shizuru hissed back with equal displeasure. Shizuru had always liked to stick up for me, however Hiei wasn't the best person to defy.
"Hiei. Shizuru." Kurama's firm voice paused the would-be fight from going further with two words. The red haired fox was wise and calm, but to push his nerve was never a brilliant idea. Then he said in a much kinder voice to me, "Don't let the size of the place fool you, Botan. It may look impressive and impenetrable, but I assure you that we'll have no trouble. Whomever Tarukane has hired should not be a worrisome adversary."
Kurama sounded so sure and confident of himself that I felt my nerves calm down a bit.
"If you're done dillydallying my sister is waiting." The fire demon's clipped tone had a warning lurking underneath his words that we all heard clearly.
"Ok," I said hurriedly, not wanting to try his patience any longer, "But how do we get over-"
My shoulders were grabbed abruptly, cutting off my speech, and felt the familiar feeling of wind sailing through my hair. Hiei's strong arms grasped my shoulders easily hauling both of our bodies up the wall. His feet landed lightly on the top and in one single jumped landed on the opposite side; Kurama had done the exact same thing with Shizuru.
I turned around again to look at the size of the wall. Hiei and Kurama made things look so effortless it should be considered a sin. That wall was easily five time my height; I'd never be able to scale something like that and land without breaking something.
'Their strength is unreal…' I thought, awed. Turning back, I gazed at both men openly; searching for something in their outer appearance that would justify the impossible things both men could do naturally. I couldn't find anything, they looked so human I might mistake them for one had I not seen their baffling abilities.
"Here they come," Kurama announced.
True to his word, a group of various demons were running toward our location. Hiei readied himself and took a stance.
"Botan, stay back."
Shizuru grabbed my wrist lightly and pulled me behind her, using herself as a shield for my benefit. I was too frightened to move. I knew I should have had faith in Hiei and Kurama, they were more than capable, but logic told me otherwise. The rational side told me that two men verses thirty stood no chance; it was foolish.
Kurama and Hiei disappeared; I knew at the speeds at which they were traveling were to fast for me to catch with my eyes. Nevertheless, in less than ten seconds the opposition was crushed, flattened, destroyed. All held the telltale sign of a sword injury or a rose embedded in some fatal spot on the enemy's body.
I was still frozen in place half a minute after the battle had been won. I snapped out of my self-induced trance when Shizuru shook me gently.
"Botan?"
"Huh?" I blinked twice and came back to myself.
Hiei snorted in distaste.
"Little girls don't belong on a battlefield. You should have stayed on the ship."
I looked away, ashamed. Maybe Hiei was right. I wasn't exactly helping when my body froze every time danger approached. I sensed Shizuru was going to come to my defense again but grasped her arm. We continued walking towards the mansion.
"He's right you know," I said disheartened.
Shizuru sighed and her eyes softened.
"Botan, you expect too much of yourself. Hiei can't understand how you feel. It's natural for humans too shrink away when faced with demons. The fact that you don't flee says a lot," the older woman tried to comfort.
"You don't act that way Shizuru…"
"I've had to deal with demon bullies all my life. I've had time to become immune to them. You've led a sheltered life Botan, you aren't used to the giant border that separates humans from demons. The superior race can be frightening, if you let it."
Maybe it was a mistake for me to have come. Hiei, Kurama, and Shizuru already had one person to save; they didn't need me as an added burden.
OOOOOHieiOOOOO
I opened the door and walked through it carelessly as if it were my own home. My narrowed eyes scanned the hall, deeming that no enemies were lurking in the shadows and beckoned the others to enter as well.
I made especially sure that Botan was behind me. Her reactions had me worried and frustrated. I had to get to Yukina quickly, but I was forced to slow to make certain Botan wouldn't be hurt. Both sides tugged until I thought I would get ripped at the seams. I just couldn't choose between them. I couldn't fathom it, but somewhere along the way Botan had become as important to me as Yukina, my own twin sister.
'Damn it Yukina, where are you?'
The hallways seemed endless, twists and turns later were still had not found Yukina. The halls seemed strangely deserted, we hadn't yet encountered anything. Tarukane had obviously expected us; the fools outside had proven that. Tarukane may have been a bastard, but he was a bastard with a backbone, even to the point of idiocy. Kidnapping the sister of one of the most fearsome pirates in the world took guts.
My senses pricked when they picked up a presence homing in on us. I halted and held out an arm, a silent signal for the girls to stop, Kurama had already sensed it when I had.
"Someone's coming," I alerted.
"Is he strong?" The brunette asked.
"He is alone. Normally one would take that as a sign that he is superior to the others," the fox informed.
Botan came behind me and grabbed my shoulder, whether in worry or for reassurance I don't know. I didn't bother to remove it, it mattered little, the approaching foe was so little a challenge I was certain I could beat him blindfolded. I was more worried about Botan's accelerating heart rate at the moment.
"So you're the fools that dared to enter the stronghold," a voice sneered.
A demon stepped out of the shadows. He was short and sported a long cloak. On his knuckles were sharp claw-like weapons; I assumed they were his choice weapons.
"Who are you?" Botan asked nervously.
"Imaki, first of the Demon Triad, little human."
"I don't give a shit who you are. Where's my sister?" I snapped.
"You must be the infamous Hiei of the Jagan," he murmured, "Pleasure to meet you. I'll enjoy ripping your pristine reputation to shreds. You of all people should know the folly of befriending weak humans like that. You never know when something might happen to them." According to his leer, he was blatantly referring to Botan, who was still clutching her arm.
"You won't touch her," I stated in a dead tone.
The demon merely chuckled.
"I'll kill her in front of you!"
Botan gasped as in a second the Imaki had vanished and reappeared behind her, claws extended and reaching for her. However, in that time I had also moved with him and had a deadly hold on the wrist of the claw that had tried to injure Botan.
Imaki's eyes had bugged out with disbelief. I had to give him credit for his speed, but when compared to mine it still inferior. Clearly he had presumed that I would not have been able to match his speed and had been counting on that advantage.
Botan was still and had not moved. Kurama had taken Shizuru to the wall of the hallway, trying to get both of them out of the way.
"Kurama what are you-" Shizuru started but Kurama cut in.
"No, let Hiei handle this."
Kurama knew instinctively not to interfere. This idiot was mine. Anyone who had killing intent towards anything that belonged to me had hell to pay, and Imaki had just forfeit his life.
"Impossible! There's no way you can be as fast as me!"
Imaki pulled back and I let him. I'd play with him a bit before he died.
"Hiei wait-"
"Botan, don't move." My voice was cold and threatening, embodying the danger if she disobeyed. Promptly, she steeled herself, determined not to move as I had asked.
Imaki lunged forward in several other attacks at Botan in different angles. Each time I intercepted him and cut off the attack easily. With each failed attempt, Imaki grew more restless and desperate. Botan had her hands clasped in worry, her head swiveling to try to hopelessly follow Imaki's movements, but she hadn't moved in the slightest, my directions firmly implanted in her memory.
Imaki tried once more, disappearing in his fastest speed to come in front of Botan, but he knew now that I was faster and I would beat him before he could reach the young female. I prepared to step in the way again when I noticed something was different. The claws on Imaki's knuckles disengaged themselves and were propelled at the defenseless girl, his trump card.
Botan saw the speeding projectiles coming for her and her eyes grew large with fear as her body shook. In a flash I stood in front of her and my sword had violently slashed the sharp objects away.
Before I was pissed, now I was encased in a cold fury. Of all the underhanded tactics…this demon was clearly defeated, both of us knew who would become the victor and he still had the audacity to attempt on Botan's life.
"No!" Imaki yelled in defeat.
"Hiei…" Botan whispered breathlessly, complexion white with terror.
Until now, I had been purely on the defensive, seeking to toy with the Triad demon. Now that was going to change, games were over; the gloves had come off. Imaki had backed up, I was sure my eyes were flaming angrily.
"It's over," I hissed taking a stance with my sword, "Die!"
Imaki tried to prepare for me and defend himself, but it was over before it began. His dead body slumped to the floor and I sheathed my weapon.
Botan was still shivering, her arms were hugging herself, and her eyes had a faraway look that meant her mind was off somewhere else. Kurama had released Shizuru, deeming that I had finished and now they could move about as they wished. The brunette wasted no time in wrapping her arms securely around the younger girl in a tight hug. It was only then when Botan snapped out of it.
I felt a little concerned about her mental state of mind. What I did probably hadn't been the smartest move, I knew Botan was having her share of moments during this trip and I placed her in a position that would terrify the poor girl even more. In all honesty I wasn't focusing much on Botan besides keeping her alive, all my concentration had gone to humiliating Imaki.
In that desire I had allowed him to try to attack her repeatedly, though I had stopped him every time, Botan had undoubtedly been terrified. I cursed for not realizing sooner. In my mind I had thought my ward might have been uncomfortable with being 'target' but I didn't think she would be petrified as the outcome.
I had expected her to be confident in me; trust in my abilities, but I had learned before we entered the mansion that she was frightened of these demons. Botan hadn't had adequate time to adjust to my strength, how could she differ the demons that could and couldn't defeat me? It was a bad call of judgment on my part.
When her teary eyes met mine, I felt the gnawing guilt multiply a hundredfold.
OOOOOBotanOOOOO
"Botan? Botan! Snap out of it!"
I 'awoke' in a sense to Shizuru shaking me with worried eyes. My mind was in a terrified haze, way past the point of hyperventilating. Everything had slowed to the point were it was just a dream; a terror filled dream, or would that be nightmare? Nothing felt real. A pit lodged itself in the center of my gut.
"Her system has entered a state of shock," I heard Kurama mutter but my mind didn't comprehend the words.
I looked into the warm caramel eyes that shone with worry before I slowly turned my head to meet with crimson red ones. The tears had welled up now, but I had kept them bottled up so that they couldn't fall. Our eyes locked and held each other in a type of standoff.
Never breaking the connection I pulled away from Shizuru and took a clumsy step toward the pirate charged with my protection. One, two steps closer, suddenly I was sprinting toward Hiei as fast as my shaky legs would allow. The said captain remained stoic; neither coming towards me nor moving away.
My body was moving on autopilot, on instincts alone. My logical mind was off trapped inside me in the dilemma. I found that my arms had wrapped themselves around the pirate almost of their own accord, clinging to him desperately.
At first the unmoving man tensed at the touch, but slowly allowed himself to relax and embraced me in return. He didn't say anything; Hiei was more a man of actions than words. I knew that the hug came from his sympathy for my condition and his assurances that I was fine.
It was all it took to shatter the precious dream-like state I had entered that served to separate me from the reality of the world. The misty haze lifted from my mind, unleashing the bottled up emotions to be exposed.
I choked on a half-sob; stifling it completely was all but impossible, arms tightening around the stoic man as a reaction.
"H-Hiei…" I choked brokenly.
He stared at me with an intensity I had rarely seen in him before. The emotions of concern, guilt, worry, and care all peaked through his poker face and I could no longer bear to look into his eyes anymore. Taking the coward's way out, I buried my face into his shoulder to block out his gaze.
"I w-was so scared…" The terror that I still felt was evident in my voice. It was so solid I was certain Hiei could have cut it in the air with his sword.
Hiei gently pried me away from him, I clutched to him with all I was worth but despite that he pulled me off like an unwanted fly. He held me from my shoulders, putting just enough distance between us that I was forced to look into his eyes again. I couldn't look away, we were only inches apart, and the crimson orbs had me memorized like a mouse staring into the eyes of a predator snake.
"Botan…I wouldn't have let him hurt you. It was a mistake to place you in that position, I understand that now, but I promised to protect you and I will, even if I have to risk my own life."
His eyes were solemn and true; he was speaking the truth. The tears that had been barely restrained leaked out, flowing freely down my cheeks. His words hit home, the confidence and honesty in them touched me, comforting all my fears. I wiped them away quickly with my arms and gave a quivering smile.
"I'm ok," I announced, finally pulling together.
"You sure Botan? That was quite a," Shizuru glared at Hiei, "Traumatic experience."
"I'm fine, really."
"Stupid woman, I told you to stay on the ship," Hiei repeated.
"Like it's her fault you used her as bait! Of course that's not going to go over smoothly, you sadistic moron!" Shizuru, as always, came to my defense.
Hiei glared at her threateningly, and released my shoulders as if to confront her, but I gripped his arm to hold him back. Of course he had the strength to break out of my hold, but the demon had enough respect for me to submit.
"Shall we continue?" Kurama butted in.
I looked down the hallway that we would continue, my eyes passing over the dead body of Imaki. My eyes widened in confusion. I had watched the battle, but Imaki's corpse had gashes all over his body. I had only seen Hiei hit him once…so where did all the others come from?
Kurama noticed my confusion.
"Hiei's sixteen strikes technique. He can hit a target sixteen times in a fraction of a second. It's nearly impossible to see all sixteen," the fox explained, and somehow I knew the emerald-eyed man had seen all sixteen of those strikes.
Wonderful…Sixteen strikes and I could only see one; shows a lot for the capacity humans have, doesn't it? The disadvantage humans were at didn't seem fair at all…
The staring contest between Shizuru and Hiei had yet to break.
"Women are such a supreme annoyance. We are much better off without them," and with that Hiei turned away and stalked down the hall, leaving the three of us to trail after him. How he could walk away and break eye contact first and still appear the victor of the battle of wills, I would never know.
Shizuru clenched her teeth together and pulled out a rock, where she had gotten in I didn't know and pegged it at the unsuspecting demon's head. Hiei casually grabbed it out of the air seconds before it made contact with his head without turning around, and crushed it in his fist. When he opened his clenched hand, all that remained of the rock was fine soot.
Wow…that was cool…and he made it seem so easy too!
"Stupid, egoistical fire demon," Shiz grumbled, the three of us hurrying after the departing demon.
OOOOO
Countless minutes had passed and we still seemed no closer to Yukina, aimlessly directing ourselves through the maze of hallways. This place was truly just too big.
"Kurama, have you heard of this Triad before?" Shizuru questioned. The two of us walked on either side of the fox demon, our assumed leader kept a few paces ahead of us.
"They are lackey's of the Toguro Brothers. As the word tri suggests, they are a group of three demons. The Toguro's must have assigned them with the task of defending Tarukane and assisting in the capture of Yukina. As lesser members of the Toguro gang, they aren't exceptionally powerful. The Toguro Brothers most likely are using them as pawns to test us," Kurama informed.
I listened with interest.
"I thought the Toguro Brother's group had a deadly reputation," I commented.
"The Toguro Brother's have a large force working for them, but only a select few in their ranks are formidable opponents. Most of their members are like our crew, weak and expendable," Hiei interjected.
"I see…" I muttered.
"Number two has arrived," Kurama proclaimed casually, Shizuru and I tensed behind him.
A young female demon neared us. She had long blue hair similar to my own and a horn was protruding from her forehead. She was garbed in a revealing red dress with a humanoid figure; if not for the horn, she could have passed as human.
"Second member of the Triad, Miyuki."
The four of us glared at her, but she only smiled.
"My, my, what attractive men you are," she purred lecherously. Hiei and Kurama remained unaffected by her words, but somehow I got the feeling they were not pleased to be eye candy for the female member.
She scrunched up her nose when she eyed us.
"However, I cannot say the same for these lowly humans you travel with. Pitiful weaklings. Strong women are so rare these days, wouldn't you rather be acquainted with a real woman like me?" Miyuki continued sweetly like poisoned honey.
Shizuru stepped forward, rising to the challenge.
"Don't bite off more than you can chew," the brunette warned.
"Shizuru are you crazy?" I tried to pull her back but she would have none of it.
"As if a mere human can order me around," Miyuki spat conceitedly, "You lower level creatures are a waste of space."
"Say that when you can beat one," Shiz countered.
Miyuki hissed in rage.
"Why you insolent little witch!"
Hiei and Kurama were about to get involved when Miyuki threw a fist, but Shizuru caught it in her hand and stopped its descent. Miyuki struggled in the grip, trying to make it connect with the human's face.
'What? How can a human match my strength?' the female demon wondered.
"Shizuru…" I wondered aloud, "Is that even possible?" The question was asked toward my demon companions.
"Shizuru's exceptionally strong for a human woman," Kurama admitted with pride.
"And Miyuki's no pride of the demon race either," Hiei dismissed.
Miyuki hissed, infuriated by the remarks.
"No puny little human can stand up to me," the blue-haired demoness hissed.
"Prove it," Shiz griped in return.
The demoness threw her other fist but Shizuru ducked underneath it and dodged the blow. While Miyuki was temporarily off balanced, the female woman used the demoness' captured fist as leverage to pull her forward and let go, forcing Miyuki to stumble.
The two went on exchanging blows, neither being able to land a hit on the other. They seemed evenly matched. I was quite impressed. Miyuki was a demon, Shizuru was a human, it should have been no contest yet Shizuru was able to fend Miyuki off and even take the offense.
Shizuru blocked Miyuki's fist with her forearm and launched her own punch at the demoness. Miyuki copied Shizuru's technique and blocked it with her own forearm. The two females strained to overpower each other, but they were locked in a stalemate.
"I won't be bested by a human. There's more than one way to exterminate you insects." Miyuki was quite done with being humiliated by a human.
She shoved Shizuru away and fingered a lock of her blue hair, choosing a strand and pulling it out.
"You may be strong for your kind, but you can never possess the skills I have at my disposal!"
The lock of hair shifted, hardening and lengthening to form a…whip! She flicked her wrist and the whip was sent flying towards the human.
"Shit!" Hiei cursed, moving his hand to the hilt of his sword. Kurama followed suit and reached into his hair to pull out a rose.
Before either of the demons could jump in, a bright light surrounded Shizuru, who had taken a defensive stance to try to minimize the damage.
"What!" Miyuki screamed.
Upon closer examination, the green light that surrounded Shizuru came from her gem of Mortar. The gem had activated and was floating in the air in front of its owner, leaving the safety of her pocket. Shizuru looked at it in shock as the gem glowed and changed shape. When the light faded, in place of where the gem had been, now a wooden staff stood in its place! The staff positioned itself in its master's surprised hands.
The whip sent for Shizuru had instead wrapped itself around the staff. Miyuki pulled on the whip, trying to dislodge the staff from Shizuru's grasp but the human held on tight. Using all her strength. Shiz pivoted on her foot, bringing the staff level with her shoulder to maximize her strength, and used the staff to toss Miyuki across the room.
The demoness had no choice but to call back her whip, releasing the staff. In the air, Miyuki flipped into a hand stand and landed on her feet.
"What was that?" I asked.
"Her gem activated," Hiei said, as if that explained everything.
"And what exactly does that mean?" I pressed.
"You don't think we're after the Treasure of Mortar because they're pretty do you?" Kurama asked.
'Well…yeah…aren't pirates attracted to shiny things? Wait…no that was parrots' I corrected myself. Well how was I supposed to know?
"All the treasure pieces have a special power that activates in a certain situation. Shizuru's activated when she was in danger and came to her aid. The effects of each gem and the hidden ability they possess is unknown, likewise how to activate them," replied the informative fox.
"Wait, mine has a special power too?" I asked curiously, staring down at my gem, wondering what was locked within it.
"Yes, I would imagine so," Kurama concluded.
"The Treasure of Mortar…I've heard of it before. So this is why the Toguro's are so keen on getting their hands on all of them," Miyuki realized, "But staff or no staff, you're no match for me."
She lashed out with her whip again, but Shizuru was quicker and sidestepped it, charging for Miyuki. Using the width of the staff, Shiz jabbed the circular endpoint into the demoness' stomach, successfully knocking the wind out of her.
Next, she removed it to supply a painful blow to the back of Miyuki's neck. Finishing the combo, Shizuru planted one end of her staff firmly on the floor and placed all of her weight on it, using the leverage to allow herself to kick off of the floor. The brunette kicked Miyuki brutally once with her left foot, and then completed the attack with a final kick with her right foot.
Miyuki was unconscious before she hit the ground.
I clapped loudly as Hiei and Kurama exchanged impressed looks. Shizuru twirled her staff expertly with her fingers.
"That was amazing Shizuru!" I gushed.
Shiz smirked.
"Wasn't that hard. This thing is kind of useful. I don't really understand what happened though."
The green light appeared again and the staff changed back into the gem.
"You've discovered your gem's hidden power, the ability to turn into a staff presumably. Each gem has a different power, and is triggered in a different way. Yours responded when you were in danger and activated. Now that the danger has passed, it returned to its normal state," Hiei clarified.
Shizuru examined her gem closely, looking for something that couldn't be seen, before placing it back into her pocket.
"Neat," was all she said, "So one more to go, right?"
OOOOOHieiOOOOO
With only one Triad member left to go we continued. I was thinking of what Botan's gem's ability was. I hoped it was something other than transforming into a weapon, because I highly doubted that Botan would be able to wield it effectively. Whatever the gem's power was, it wouldn't change because its user was inadequate. So if Botan's gem turned into a whip like Miyuki's, it had about as much use as a flat tire for a car.
Kurama and I held back, allowing the two females to walk ahead of us so we could talk quietly. We conversed lowly enough so that neither would be able to make out what we were saying.
"Good, one of our gem's hidden powers have emerged," I whispered smugly.
"Yes. Shizuru will be much more useful with the added help of her staff. I'd feel much more at ease if Botan's would activate as well," Kurama continued.
I grunted in agreement.
Suddenly the wall next to us exploded and a dark smoke blocked our vision.
"Damn!" I coughed.
The smoke cleared momentarily and a large, muscled, red demon faced us. The last member of the Triad had arrived. Like all the members of the Triad, this one used underhanded tactics.
In his right hand was a huge spike club; it alone probably weighed more than Botan did. In his left, he had captured both Shizuru and Botan in the same hand. The girls were struggling furiously but the demon laughed at their efforts.
"Gokumonki," the demon greeted, "The third and final member of the Triad."
"Forgive me if I don't want to shake your hand," I glowered sarcastically.
"Now, now, let's be civil. You don't want to anger me when I have these two fragile beauties." Gokumonki shook his left arm and the girls dangled helplessly.
"Hey jackass, eat this!" Shiz screamed.
Her gem once again formed its more useful staff form and she swung it at the demon's head. The caramel eyes widened when the staff broke over the demon's head and the wood broke in two. When that happened the staff reverted back into the gem. It would be no help in this situation. Gokumonki laughed again, not affected in the least by the blow.
"Feisty little thing, aren't you? You'd best learn some manners girlie."
"I'd advise you to release them now." Kurama's voice was cold and deadly, I instantly recognized the tone. Usually whenever it was heard, someone died.
"Why? You can't attack me when I use them as shields."
'That's what you think,' I thought.
"You were warned," Kurama said icily.
He reached into his hair and pulled out a single red rose. Anyone else may have laughed, but I knew the lethality Kurama's favored weapon possessed.
"What are you going to do with that, pretty boy? Court me?" Gokumonki mocked.
The petals gave way and the rose transformed into a green whip, decorated with sharp thorns. The rose whip technique, quite common among fox demons, but Kurama had perfected it to a caliber that I doubted anyone else with the same weapon could match.
This whip was far more superior to Miyuki's hair whip. This one had thorns that could cut through solid rock; Kurama's precision and technique only enhanced the weapon further. Kurama was also a better fighter than Miyuki as one could expect, he could react so quickly that most demons would not be able to follow.
In an instant, the whip had latched itself onto the club and I sprang forward to retrieve the captured females. One good yank later, I pulled the three of us back, leaving Kurama to safely finish the battle.
It didn't take long as one could imagine; Kurama was pissed. He yanked his whip, cleanly pulling the club out of the red demon's hands, and with another flick of his talented whip, had clobbered the demon over the head with is own weapon. A sickening crack resounded; Gokumonki's skull had crack. The demon was already dead, but Kurama wasn't done.
He manipulated his whip to encircle the Triad member and pulled it tight, causing it to wrap around him securely. A flick later, Kurama had tossed Gokumonki back out the wall he had initially crashed through and sent him out of our sight. A crash was heard, signaling that he had hit the next wall, and probably went through it.
Now finished, the whip transformed back into a rose and Kurama carefully placed it back in his hair. I smirked.
"It's been awhile since I last saw you that upset."
Kurama glared at me nastily. Obviously threatening our two females was enough to trigger his darker side.
"Excuse me, but did he just kill him with a rose?" Shizuru interjected.
Kurama chuckled, his lighter half coming back out into play.
"Yes, that is my power. I can manipulate plants and flowers."
Both girls looked amused at the prospect.
"It may not seem dangerous, but with Kurama even blades of grass can become a weapon. Plants have endless possibilities that you wouldn't imagine were possible. The less threatening a weapon appears give a greater advantage to the user with an element of surprise," I lectured.
Botan flinched and Kurama chuckled. Shizuru looked slightly queasy at the revelation.
"Great, even an innocent flower can be turned into a utensil of death by you guys. What else is new?" Shiz asked sarcastically, holding her head with one hand.
"Sounds cool Kurama! Can you teach me?" Botan asked naively.
"Afraid not. This is a technique exclusive to fox demons. Also, you'd need to have demon energy available to manipulate it, and considering you are a human, that could prove a problem," Kurama said kindly.
"Oh…" Botan smiled, not put down in the least.
"If you wanted, I'm sure Hiei could teach you how to handle a sword."
Both of us blanched.
"Yeah right, and watch her cut her own arm off? I think not," I argued.
"Yeah! I mean-hey!" Botan yelled at me.
"Let's go. We can talk about how much technique you lack after my sister is saved."
OOOOOTarukaneOOOOO
I opened the ice wench's door; the sight of her curled up with my nephew greeted me. I entered and a good number of my human guards followed me, all armed with guns.
"What's going on?" Yukina demanded.
"Your brother and his friends have defeated the Triad. It's time to move onto plan B," I said.
That said, a guard appeared on either side of the ice demoness and forced her to her feet.
"Taro!" she screamed as another guard hit the boy on the head with the gun, rendering him unconscious.
"Little brat always was a nuisance," I muttered.
"Take them away," I ordered.
OOOOOBotanOOOOO
"How have we not found her yet?" Hiei muttered angrily, "We've checked the whole mansion!"
"It does seem a little odd," Kurama agreed.
I sighed and gazed out the window. Trees, grass, more trees, more grass, guards, trees, grass-wait? Guards? I took another look to be certain. Yeah, there was a large gathering of guards outside and a female with mint green hair and crimson eyes. Crimson eyes? Boy does that seem familiar.
"Hiei! Is that you sister out there?"
In an instant Hiei was beside me, eyes scanning where my finger pointed.
"They've taken her outside!"
OOOOO
In a wild scramble we all made it outside, Hiei decided against taking the door, claiming it would be faster to make our own exit. So Hiei made his own hole in the building and we jumped down from the mansion. Did I mention we were five stories high? Yes, we were. I can say without shame that I latched onto Hiei for dear life and mentally cursed the impatient fire demon over and over. Saving his sister and is all fine and good, but I don't fancy a heart attack anytime in the near future.
In that attitude we all rushed outside into the clearing where we had last seen Yukina and all those guards.
"Where is she?"
"There!"
And there she was, long mint hair tied in a low ponytail with a red ribbon, arms tied together with rope. Yukina was dangling from a tree limb precariously over a cliff, held up only by a piece of rope tied to the limb.
"Hiei! Don't come any closer! It's a trap!"
"Too late!"
We heard the clicks of guns, the safety going off and thirty human guards must have surrounded us. They had all come from behind suits of armor that decorated the clearing. The suits oddly made it look as if the clearing was made to be a battlefield. With Hiei and Kurama so occupied with Yukina, it's not surprising they didn't sense them.
The guards had us completely surrounded; each arms with a gun, in some cases two. I think one was even carrying a limp little boy.
Surprised, I, being my usual agile self, wasn't looking where I was going and tripped over some unimportant thing, landing flat on my face. I rolled a few yards over until a guard picked me up, wrapping one arm around my waist and placing the gun at my neck.
"Botan!" My three comrades chorused.
"This game is over Hiei, Kurama. I win." The voice halted Hiei in his tracks.
"Tarukane!"
Tarukane appeared behind his lackeys, making sure he was well protected by his guards.
"I'll have you know the three of you are standing on a land mine to which I have the control." He held up a device with a red button. "Move even an inch and I'll activate it. In addition to that, I'm afraid dear little Yukina will have a one-way trip down the cliff. Demon or not I'll bet she won't survive the fall."
"You asshole!" Shizuru screeched.
"Yes, I know," Tarukane agreed, "But I do so hate losing. I didn't get this far by playing fair."
If I could take a guess, Hiei and Kurama would be able to get themselves and Shizuru out of the way before they were caught in the explosion of the mine, but they'd never be able to reach Yukina in time while dodging the blast.
"Hiei!" Yukina cried.
"Yukina!" Hiei echoed.
Judging from the guard up in the tree, and the knife he's holding, Tarukane wasn't kidding about cutting the rope that kept Yukina from falling to her doom. From where I was, it wasn't too far, and I didn't have to worry about dodging a land mine. But then again, I did have a gun pressed to my neck…
I froze and immediately felt desperation well up. This was bad, we were all trapped…I wasn't sure what would happen if someone didn't something but I know it wouldn't be in our favor. My body started trembling with dread. Would we all be killed? Tarukane would be thought of as a hero if he could bring in the bodies of two of the captains of the Jagan. The police would probably never bother him again if that happened…
"What's wrong, little girl? Scared?" the guard holding me captain sneered. That word triggered a waterfall of memories.
Shizuru grabbing my wrist and using herself as a defensive shield for me, images of myself being to terrified to even move, Hiei fighting Imaki as I stood frozen, Gokumonki grabbing Shizuru and myself.
Everyone had done his or her part, Hiei had defeated Imaki, Kurama made quick work of Gokumonki, and even Shizuru had beaten Miyuki. The only one who hadn't been useful was I…
"Stupid woman, I told you to stay on the ship."
"I promised to protect you and I will, even if I have to risk my own life."
"I warned you this was no place for little girls."
"The superior race can be frightening, if you let it."
"Little girls don't belong on a battlefield."
They all…Kurama, Shizuru and Hiei all protected me. They all fought to protect me. Not somebody, I have to do something. I felt my hands clench tightly into fists. I have to be strong enough to protect my important people, I can't always depend on them to come and save me. I won't let them down anymore!
Looking around for anything that could be of help, I noticed the suit of armor right next to me and formulated a plan quickly.
"I'm not a little girl!"
Putting everything I had into, I stepped on the guard's foot as hard as I could, forcing my full weight and more onto it. The guard weakened his hold in surprise and pain and I seized the chance to break away enough to reach to the suit of armor. I tugged on the spear that the armor suit was holding with all my might, relieved when it finally came out.
Wasting no time, I plunged it through the stomach of the guard that had recovered and was reaching for me again. He screamed in pain and fell to the floor, trying to pull it out. I sensed more than saw Tarukane press the button; by that time I was already running toward Yukina. I saw the guard cut Yukina's rope as she screamed and heard the explosion of the land mine going off.
I saw Yukina falling in slow motion, the split rope no longer supporting her weight and pushed myself even harder to make it in time. Just as she was a second of being out of reach I dove on my knees and grabbed her bound wrists. Somehow, I had forgotten the extra weight I would have to hold and I my body buckled at the waist from the strain. Now, my head from my waist were all over the cliff, my hips and legs supporting all the weight.
My surprised candy eyes met surprised crimson ones and our eyes locked. Even in all the panic surrounding us, all I could think was that Yukina's eyes were the same exact shade of crimson as Hiei's. I heard battle noises and grunts, guns going off and knew that my friends had evaded the mine, not that I ever had any doubt.
I tried to pull Yukina back up, but the weight was too heavy, it was all I could do to hold on. I heard the click of the gun from the guard in the tree that had cut Yukina's rope. Crap, I had completely forgotten about him! I heard a grunt of pain, and looked up to see Hiei's sword piercing the would-be murderer in the chest.
I grunted as I slipped, my body could no longer support our combined weights. Yukina's eyes mirrored mine in panic and desperation as I felt my body succumbing to the strain. I felt the sensation of falling for only a second, when a pair of strong arms caught my waist, checking our falls. Even when we were falling, I refused to let go of Yukina. I had resigned myself; either we were both going to make it or we were both going to fall down the cliff.
The arms slowly pulled us up and once Hiei had pulled us safely back on the ground I happily collapsed on the floor. Hiei cut Yukina's bindings away and the two siblings happily embraced, err well Yukina jumped on Hiei and Hiei returned the hug. From my spot on the floor, I could see that Kurama and Shizuru had finished with the guards, sporting a whip and staff respectively. They jogged over quickly.
"Botan are you ok? Are you crazy? You could have been killed!" she said as she dropped to her knees beside me, Kurama following suit. I smiled weakly.
"If I'm crazy it's from being around you guys for too long," I replied.
"Well if this isn't a nice little family reunion," a voice rasped, "I'll kill you all in one shot."
Tarukane faced us, in his hands a gun that he had probably taken from one of his fallen guards.
"Tarukane," Hiei growled, "Burn in hell."
Fire exploded beneath Tarukane immediately after the words had been spoken. Seconds later he was no more.
"I knew you'd come for me," Yukina said cheerily, her eyes only on her brother.
Hiei offered a small smile for his twin.
"Of course. Let's leave now, Botan are you alright?" Hiei pulled away from Yukina to inspect me.
"Just a little tired," I replied.
"Wait! We can't leave without the boy!" Yukina cried suddenly.
"The boy?"
"Yes, Taro. He's Tarukane's nephew but he's been abused by his uncle ever since his mother died."
"Fine, we'll take the boy. Then can we go?" Hiei asked.
Yukina nodded her consent.
My eyes blurred and I was overcome by a sudden fatigue. My head fell to the floor lightly. The last thing I saw was Kurama carrying a little boy before everything went black.
OOOOO
Oh my god that was the longest freaking chapter ever! It took me over seven hours to write! I think that qualifies for the most exciting chapter, hope you all liked it! I need to stop typing before my fingers fall off!
Favorite Line-"What is it with you women? Don't you understand no? It's too dangerous!"-Hiei
I'll post the next chapter with 212 reviews. Please tell me what you think about this chapter because it's really long and I'm sure I screwed up parts because my mind was elsewhere and I was off track somewhere. And if you want send your favorite line!
-Freesia-