Wow. I haven't updated in almost a month. School is almost over and I have examz to study for and a work up the ass. So very sorry. I have been working on this, at a meager pace, but I have none the less. I already have the concept for the next chapter down.
Mind you, Riley is still blind but she has the glasses so if I overlook that little bit, I know. I did it on purpose.
Hope you enjoy this eventful chapter...and more charaters! Yay!
"The Oppressors are located in a small city exactly 220 miles northwest of Chioni. Chioni is a snow covered city in the northern regions of Makai. The notice that I received came from a spy that had managed to find them one day. She has been tailing them for a while now, about 4 months, but has been on the case for 2 years. She has not been able to actually catch up to them, but has kept tabs. Now, I will be creating a portal and all of us, minus Koenma, will be meeting up with her. Any questions?"
"None." Koenma answered when no one said a word.
"Good, let's get a move on then."
Riley pushed her glasses back up to their resting place and collected the coat she had on the back of the chair, Kurama seeing a brief glimpse of her familiar weaponry. Jambuea walked over to Riley and whispered in her ear. The princess smacked her head and faced her friends.
"I was just reminded of a little mistake of mine. Everyone, this is Jambuea, our new fire Elemental and an old friend of mine. Jambuea, this is Yusuke, Kazuma, my cousin Kurama, my father King Koenma, and, well, you know Hiei." She announced, pointing to each one in turn.
"Hello everyone. Where…are the other Quinque?"
"Oh, Sabuso is….relaxing; Mitarai is probably with Kohaku at Genkai's temple. We'll collect the two older ones, but I believe that Kohaku is way too young for this. He still needs training and I've barely had the time."
"I will have one of the SD train him, alright?" Koenma reassured her.
"Understood. Hold on one second." She closed her eyes in concentration.
Hiei could feel her mind calling to Sabuso. A minute later, he strode through the door. Mitarai was too far away to call and was still slightly inexperienced in the art of fighting. Making sure that everyone was ready and equipped, each in their own way, Riley opened a portal to just outside the Oppressor's base.
All was quiet and no sounds echoed in the vast, snowy expanse. A lone figure stood atop a cliff, looking out at the city nestled in the crevices of the mountains. A sound of whirling wind came from behind her and she turned to see Riley walking through, securing her kimono-style coat. A smile came to the face of the two women and they hugged, saying hellos to each other. Hiei followed her, and after him came Yusuke, Kurama, Kazuma, Sabuso, and Jambuea. Riley pulled away from her friend and faced the others.
"This is our spy, Chai-Niashan, or just Chai. I met her when I first arrived in Reikai and we have been friends since. She has been on this case for 2 years now. Chai, I know that you know who all of them are so there is no need for introductions. Now, what is it that you found, exactly?"
Chai pulled out binoculars out from the pack resting by her feet. Setting them to her eyes, she verified her findings before handing them to Riley. She looked through them and could see the castle set at the base of the mountains Chai told her to look for. There were guards set all around it, carrying swords, bows, staffs, and other weaponry. Turning back, she laughed as she saw Kurama, Kazuma, and Yusuke huddled by Hiei, hoping to gain some of the Kajihenge's warmth. Jambuea was curled in a ball at his feet, clearly not used to such cold temperatures. The fire demon growled at them and, fearful of being killed, they stepped or rolled away slowly. Chai and Riley exchanged a glance before facing Sabuso.
"Any ideas on how to penetrate their defenses?" Chai asked the two.
"Ambush?" suggested Sabuso.
"That's like committing Seppuku. No, we'll figure something out. It is getting late," Riley said, gazing up at the descending sun. "There is a village about 2 miles south of here that should have warm clothes and futons with blankets for us. All of you stay here and keep warm."
Chai took a hold of her arm and pulled her to the side.
"You're going to the Shinobi village?"
"Yes."
"Bring the others back, alright?"
"Because we might need their help or you want to see your boyfriend?"
"He is not my boyfriend." she retorted, despite the blush evidently on her face.
"Demons love, all the time. It is perfectly natural to have feelings for one of your own kind, a wind master none the less. I see the way you two are around each other, there is definitely something there. Do not hold it back or else it comes around and bites you hard in the ass, especially if you let it slip away. Alright?"
"Yes, of course."
"Come on, you are a beautiful, 20 year old, wind goddess with a killer body, reputation for being one of the smartest of Reikai forces, and single. Snag him while you can, dear, that's all I can say. Now, I best get a move on, okay?"
"Of course and thank you."
"Anything for you, anytime."
She tightened her coat around, but making sure her guns were within grasp. Kurama walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Maybe one of us should go with you."
"I shall be fine. I will bring back any things that we might need. It really isn't that far and I will bring back some company, alright? Plus, I can handle myself."
"If you say so."
Giving him a hug, she began her trek south, feeling the eyes of friends on her back. Once she was out of sight, she ran full speed, arriving at the Shinobi village within 15 minutes. The villagers put their weapons at the ready, prepared to take her down in a heart beat. She moved quick as arrows were let loose and they embedded themselves in the ground. Drawing a gun, she aimed it point blank at the man that leapt in front of her.
"Damn shella, you move quick. Caught me off guard." replied an ever familiar Irish-accented man.
A smile came to Riley's face as she holstered her gun and hugged the red head in front of her. A man with blue hair slicked back and green bangs came up behind her and she hugged him as well. The cold air nipped at her slightly exposed legs. She envied her friends because the cold weather did not bother them.
"What's that on your nose?" Touya asked her.
"Glasses. I kind of got blind. They help me see because of a spell. I'll explain it later."
"Let's head inside." he said, softly.
The archers around them assumed their posts once again and the trio made for a hut near the villages large stone fire circle. Once inside, Riley dived towards the futon set before the indoor fire pit and cuddled up inside a blanket. Jin and Touya laughed at this. The wind master sat with Riley and she offered him some of the blanket. Together, they sat in the warmth, talking lightly so as not to disturb Touya in the other room.
"So 'ow is my lit'le Chai (he pronounces it as 'shy')? Still as cute and sweet as ever?"
"Of course." she answered, taking a small sip of her tea. "Well, we best be heading back to them. They are probably worrying about me."
"How many supplies do we need, then?" Touya asked as he entered the room, adjusting his newly acquired cloak.
"Enough for 10 people to last about a week. We'll need food, futons, coats, blankets, and horses. There will be a lot of traveling. Rumor in Reikai is that the Oppressors still do not have their fire Elemental. If we can beat them to it then I should be able to contain the souls of them in order to prevent the doom that is eminent."
"Sounds all right wit' me." exclaimed Jin, ears wiggling with excitement.
"Understood. I will obtain the horses and futons. Jin can take care of the blankets and coats while you handle the food. Seems fair?"
"With you, of course." She stood up and passed by him, but gave him a little kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, cuz." she hurried out.
The two men set to work on what they were assigned.
Kurama stood by the line of trees, watching to see when Riley will return. The sun had set hours before and they managed to get a fire started behind the bushes with Hiei's help. Said Kajihenge had made himself comfortable away from the morons by the fire (Kazuma and Yusuke, of course.) Jambuea was sleeping with her head on Sabuso's leg and he, too, was resting against the log beside them.
Chai was keeping an eye on the city when she heard the sound of hooves in the forest. Apparently, Hiei and Kurama heard it to because they were poised for attack at the tree line. The sounds echoed around them, as if there were many horses. A neigh came to their ears and they saw the shadow of a person upon a horse come towards them. Hiei jumped at them while pulling out his katana, but it was blocked by a rifle barrel.
"Stand down Hiei, it's just me." came the familiar voice of Riley. "Hiei! I said stop! Hiei!"
The sound of a sword colliding with the steel rifle barrel reached the ears of Kurama, Chai, Touya, and Jin, who had just rode up. The ice master tackled Hiei.
"What is wrong with you?" He yelled at the Kajihenge.
"I...nothing."
Pushing Touya off of him, he stood up, dusted off, and walked back to the campsite with katana in hand. Chai's eyes followed him on his path before turning towards Jin who had hurried to her side as soon as he got off of the horse he was on. She smiled at him and placed a small kiss on his cheek. The wind master was flushed but placed his arm around her waist. Riley strapped the rifle to the horse once again before hopping down with Touya's help.
"I am back. We must hurry though." She said to Kurama who took the two horses she brought along with her.
Sabuso and Jambuea appeared out of the bushes and grabbed the reigns of the two extra horses Touya and Jin had. In total, 7 horses awaited the long voyage around Makai. Tying them up, the gang went back to the campsite where Kazuma and Yusuke had just woke up. Hiei sat by the fire.
"We'll be leaving soon so we had best dismantle the campsite." Kurama said to them and they set to work.
"How are we going to do this, with the horses I mean?" Sabuso asked the princess.
"Jambuea and you will share one, Jin and Chai on another, and the rest of us will have our own."
"But we only have 7 horses, not 8 like we need." Chai thought.
"True, but one of us will not be going."
"Who, might I ask onna?" Hiei wondered, walking up.
"Why you, of course. I would have thought a puppet would figure it out."
Everyone looked at her questioningly, but was answered when 'Hiei' jumped at Riley. Ducking, she narrowly missed the blade aimed at her neck. Rolling to the side, she jumped up and, in the process, drew her handgun. Taking aim, the sound of the gun firing echoed through the area. 'Hiei' fell to the ground with a bullet wound to the temple. Placing her gun away, Riley knelt down and pulled off the bandanna around his forehead to reveal, not the Jagan eye, but the kanji symbol of puppet (original, ne?)
"Puppet." She simply stated waving her hand at it nonchalantly.
With a wave of a small amount of Reiki, she extinguished the fire in the middle of the camping ground.
"Where is Hiei, then?" Kurama asked her.
"Probably being held against his will in the castle of the Oppressors. I need to get there and rescue him."
"Wait a minute, you are not going to do that." yelled Touya and Yusuke in unison.
"I will and you cannot stop me. Stay here and if I or Hiei do not return in an hour, leave and go to the Shinobi village. Understand?"
Everyone nodded and Riley smiled at them. Making sure her coat was tight on her, she grabbed her horse, jumped up into the saddle, and took off down a path leading to the bottom of the cliff. It was snowing again by the time she reached the bottom so she had to put on a wide-brimmed hat she had secured to her horse at the village. There was a lake just before the city of Chioni and, having no choice, she spurred the horse to ride fast across it. The ice shifted slightly to the weight but, luckily, didn't give way.
City gates rose up before her and the castle loomed just beyond it. Drawing her rifle with scope, she let the reigns hang and took aim at the guards. The horse was trained for this so she knew what to do. Keeping in a canter, the horse rode straight and light so Riley could shot her gun. Several guards went down in just a few seconds. The gates swung open in response to the gunfire and that was what Riley wanted. Killing those guards, she stampeded through and up to the castle. Stopping her horse, she placed the rifle where it belonged and hopped down. The doors opened and she was welcomed but none other then the Spirit Oppressor himself.
"What a pleasant surprise. Do come in, I know why you are here." He soothed, parting the way so she could enter.
Staying on her guard, she walked through the door and entered the grand hall. Five seats were at the far end and three were occupied; Water, Earth, and Air. Fire was empty but out of the corner of her eye, she saw him. Hiei was chained to the wall beside the seat, battered and bleeding. A realization that she hoped was wrong was proven true when she saw this. Hiei was the Fire Oppressor. Turning towards the Spirit Oppressor, Ki-Shin, she bowed her head.
"Release Hiei, please."
"Why would I do that?"
"Would you rather have him or the Princess of Reikai?"
This caught Hiei's attention and he looked up at her. Disbelief was on his face, as well as a certain admiration for her bravery. Collecting himself, Ki-Shin looked at her and smiled.
"Why, dear, how brave. I would, very much, love to have you as a part of my collection…" he took her face into his hand. "….Among other things."
Riley suppressed a shiver as his hand fell onto her arm and stroked it. Shrugging him off, she stepped back and met Hiei's eyes. He still had the look of disbelief on his face and it confused her.
"Let Hiei go and I will stay here."
"Alright...we can always get him back." Ki-Shin said.
"You let him go and not attack him. Reikai has a way to extract the Oppressor soul within him. They can release it so it could find another host."
"Hmm...I like the way you think." He wrapped his arm around her waist. "Sounds like a plan to me. Let Hiei go."
A guard walked over and removed the chain from the Kajihenge's wrists. He stood up on shaky legs. Walking over to Riley, she withdrew Ki-Shin's arm from her waist and wrapped her own around Hiei's. With a glance at the Oppressors, she walked with him out of the castle to where her horse waited. The guards followed after to make sure she would not escape. Taking off her coat, she set it, securely, on her horse. Hiei got into the saddle.
"Tell the others I am sorry. Perhaps I can help the case this way." Riley said sadly.
"Don't get yourself killed."
"I'll try not to. Take care."
"You too."
"Didn't know you care."
"Everyone has their secrets."
"Yes, and yours are the most trivial."
With a nudge to the horse's sides, Hiei turned around and cantered out of the city. A tear rolled down Riley's face and she closed her eyes tightly. A blow to the back of her head caused her to fall to the ground in a heap. Ki-Shin knelt beside her, a devious grin on his face.
Like it? Let me know.
As a side note, I am sure most everyone here knows about deviantART...I have an account on there and have posted pictures that I drew of Riley. For those who are familiar with "Like Glass, Happiness Can Shatter", there is a picture of Sakura in her kitsune form there, as well as the character concept for a YYH collaboration with a friend of mine. My username is MartixButterfly117. Check it out.
Jinx-the-Pink-Goddess