I didn't finish this until today when I originally had it set to be finished on Friday. It has been a long, long weekend, but I have finished it. Gomen nasai. Hope you like it, though. The action I promised is in it.
Riley rested on the couch, her head laying on Touya's leg. The Ice Master was currently reading a book. The house was quiet and no one was there, save for them. A sigh escaped her lips and it caught Touya's attention.
"What is wrong?" he asked her.
"I am terribly bored. They have kept me in this house for the past few days and I am dying to get out. Can we please go shopping?" she gave him the puppy dog eyes.
They always worked on her friends and he found them taking effect on him. With a nod, he agreed and Riley jumped off the couch. Grabbing a blue fur ball on the edge of the table, she hurried up to her room to get ready. Said fur ball was now wide awake and gazed up at the excited girl holding him.
"Puu."
"Yep, we are going out."
"Puu?"
"To the mall. Do you want to stay here, go to Yusuke's and Keiko's, or come with me?"
"Puu...Puu!"
"Alright, with me it is. But you have to act like a stuffed animal, alright?"
"Puu."
Riley slipped on her blue, long sleeved shirt, black jacket, and black cargos, along with her black chucks. Grabbing a purse large enough to fit the spirit beast, she put him in, grabbed her keys, wallet, and cell phone, and hurried out of the room. Touya waited for her at the bottom of the stairs in a baggy black shirt, Black hoodie, blue jeans, and black Vans. With a leap, Riley landed on his back and together they left the house.
Kurama slid his key into the unusually locked door and turned it. He couldn't feel anyone in the house and it worried him. Walking in, he took note of how quiet it was; no TV, no radio, nothing. Taking the steps three at a time, he ran into Riley's room and found her not there, however, a memo was taped to the door.
To whom ever it may concern:
Sorry to rush out guys, but I was too bored. Fear not, Touya went with me and I have my cell phone on me. You try staying inside for a couple days with nothing good on TV, movies you have seen a thousand times (literally in the case of The Lord of the Rings), and books that are falling apart from reading them so much. Puu is with us too, so no worries about him. Got money and will promise to stay out of trouble. Love you guys.
Daioh Riley
Princess of Reikai and your ruler FOREVER...heh...Gomen Nasai.
With a sigh, Kurama let himself fall backwards onto her bed. His cell phone went off not even a minute later and he answered it to find it was Koenma.
"Where is Riley? Let me talk to her."
"Umm...she is kind of not here right now. Her and Touya went out."
"You let them leave?"
"I was working, just to let you know and Touya was the only one not busy."
"Hmm...she has her phone?"
"Of course."
"Alright. Touya is with her and I trust my nep...emm...BYE!" the king hung up quickly.
Kurama pulled the phone away from his ear and gave it a strange look. Accessing the phone book, he called Riley.
"I am fine Kurama...no, I am not in trouble...I am behaving...WHAT?...hell no, this is not a date" Riley exclaimed while Touya gave her a weird look. "I would never go out with Touya...That's like going out with you...good, don't jump to conclusions...Yeah, yeah, love you too...bye."
She snapped shut her phone and pocketed it. The people in the outdoor area of the restaurant they were eating at watched her wearily. Shooting them a dirty look, she turned back to her tea. Touya watched Riley curiously.
"Kurama was worried?"
"More like eccentric."
"Does he get like that often?"
"Very much so."
"Want to leave?"
She smiled at him and rose from her seat. Leaving 12 yen for the bill and tip, the two of them headed down the street. Shops lined the road, vendors on the sidewalks. Children were running about, laughing and playing gallantly. Side by side, they wandered down the road, until Riley stopped Touya with a hand on his arm. Pointing to a shop they just passed, the two turned around and entered the bookshop.
Yusuke and Kurama got out of said kitsune's car. They had been searching for Riley and had found her and Touya sitting on a park bench. Riley laid with her head on Touya's shoulder and they were eating ice cream cones. They seemed to be talking adamantly about something and stopped their conversation when they heard their pursuers. She gazed up at them and smiled after realizing who they were.
"Comfortable?" Yusuke asked as he took a seat beside her.
"Yes, very much. Want some?" she inquired, placing the cone before his face.
He took a bite out of the side and managed to smear a little on his chin. Riley giggled and wiped it off with her napkin. Kurama sat beside Touya and looked forward at the setting sun. A rustle from above alerted Riley and she gazed upwards, taking it crimson eyes. Holding her cone above her head, she offered it to the Kajihenge who bent an arm down to take it. Startling the others, she jumped off of the bench and darted down the path. The men looked at each other curiously but noticed a familiar blue-haired girl coming towards them.
"Lover boy, you fiance is here." the Reikai princess hollered.
Kurama rose and greeted Botan with a small kiss on the lips. Sighing, Riley plopped herself back down on the bench, once again resting her head on Touya's shoulder.
"I'm bored." she replied, drawing out the words dramatically.
"What do you want to do then?" Hiei asked as he fell in front of her.
"Hmm...itoko-san, have you ever been to a carnival?"
"I cannot say that I have. Why?"
"The Winter festival is going on down at the fairgrounds. After all, it is December."
She reached under the bench and pulled out her bag. Opening it, she pulled out Puu who was wrapped in a thick, violet blanket. Yusuke cocked his head, wondering why Puu was with her, but shook his head and gazed back Riley.
"The Winter festival?" he asked, receiving a nod from Riley. "Alright with me. Let me call Keiko though."
"No need to."
All of them looked at the left path to see a mature looking Koenma, Liz, Damian, Dante, Takini, Usagi, Yukina, Kazuma, Kohaku, and Keiko walking towards them. The group was surprised but let it slide. Puu cried happily as he saw Keiko and flew out of Riley's arms to her. They laughed over this. Yusuke turned towards Riley and stroked his chin.
"Itoko-san?"
"Yes, Touya is my cousin."
"How?" Kazuma pondered out loud.
"You see, the Shinobi descendants are tied to the royal line of Reikai. Koenma's younger brother, yes he has one, gave up rights to his princedom and traveled to Reikai. He married the eldest daughter of the Shinobi leader and together they had three children. Their oldest is Touya, the middle is a son named Sukuni, and the youngest is a daughter named Hoshi. Sukuni, unfortunately, died at a very young age of a sickness. Hoshi is engaged to Shura, Yomi's son, though they are both still very young. Touya is not engaged, but is actually the heir of the Shinobi, so he is practicing for it."
"Wow, I never would have guessed that he was royalty." Yusuke whispered. "So, you two really are cousins? I thought you two had a thing for each other."
Touya and Riley looked at each other before cracking up laughing. Richard and Liz joined them and before long, everyone was laughing, save for Hiei who only wore an amused smirk. Riley caught her breath and walked over to Hiei who was leaning against a tree.
"Hey there."
"Hn."
"Silly. You and your monosyllables. Are you ever going to say anything besides them?"
"Does it matter to you?"
"Yes, I like to hear your voice."
"And why is that?"
"Hmm...It sounds nice, like the trickling of water in a cool spring, refreshing and calm at the same time."
With a smile, she walked back over to the others leaving Hiei with a confused look. Together, everyone headed out of the park and to the fairgrounds. The lights of the ferris wheel could be seen from the distance and it made everyone excited. Light snow fell around them and coated the ground in a soft, white blanket. Buying their tickets, they made their way towards the concession stand to buy drinks.
"So how are we pairing up?" Keiko asked them.
"How about you with Yusuke, Kazuma, Yukina, and Kohaku, Damian and Dante, Takini and Usagi, Koenma and my mother, Hiei, Touya, and me?" Riley proposed.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Why are you going with the shrimp?"
"So he won't kill anybody."
"Oh, okay."
"See you later, then. Come along Yukina, Kohaku."
Everyone parted ways and Riley took the two men by the arms, dragging them towards the Pirate Ship. It made Touya slightly nauseas but Hiei enjoyed, wanting to ride it again. The night passed by so quickly and around 12 midnight, the snow lay thick on the ground. Fireworks were set off and women dressed as Ice faeries danced around the festival. The group met back up at the Ferris Wheel and decided to ride it. It was a large one with circular carriers, enough space to fit 5 comfortably. Touya was excited to go up, as were all the children.
Riley sat close to the door, gazing out at the forest behind the Wheel. Hiei sat beside her, his gaze also where hers was. Damian, Dante, and Touya were watching the festival get smaller as they went up. A small flash of lights caught their attention so they looked down to see the control box burst into flames. The Wheel stopped suddenly, knocking Dante to the floor of the carrier.
"What the hell is going on?" Riley demanded as she looked over the boys side.
People were running around, screaming and making for the entrance. The people in the carriers were terrified as the flames went up the spokes of the Wheel.
"Touya, get Kazuma to help you get those people to safety."
He nodded at her before jumping out of the carrier, landing on the roof of Kazuma's. Riley looked at her brothers before whipping her head back down to the ground. The essence of demons came to her mind and she could see the soldiers of the Oppressors stomp around the grounds. Hiei was at her side the minute he felt them.
"Onna, my sword."
Riley threw her hand into the air and summoned Hiei's katana. The Kajihenge grabbed it from her, stroked her hair, and leapt from the carrier. Damian and Dante stood just behind their sister.
"Get the others and get out of here. Make sure mom, Koenma, Usagi, Yukina, Takini, and Keiko are far from here."
Kissing them atop their heads, she, too, jumped out of the carrier. The ones scrambling below saw this and began screaming at the top of their lungs. Riley reached a hand out and was caught by Kurama who was two carriers below them. He hauled her into the compartment and was instantly hugged by her mother.
"We need to get all of you to safety." Riley told them. "Touya and the boys will help. Kurama, you need to come with me."
"Understood."
"Hiei is out there and Yusuke will be joining us. Kazuma and Touya are helping the others on the Wheel to safety."
Kurama gave Botan a kiss before leaping into a tree and down to the ground. Riley once again jumped out of the carrier, but was caught in mid-air by Hiei. He placed her on the ground when they landed. Giving him a soft kiss on the cheek, she ran into the horde of demons, throwing fists left and right. Hiei began slicing heads off while Yusuke joined Riley in melee. Kurama summoned his Rose Whip. The four fought off the demons, later joined by Touya and Kazuma.
"Are the others safe and is everyone out of the festival?" she asked Touya as the two fought back to back.
"Yes, itoko-chan."
"Good. Yusuke?"
The Tantei ran over to her while fending off the attackers. Reaching her side, he pushed her down as a demon with sword came from behind her. Punching it in the jugular, it collapsed. Riley knelt on the ground and pulled Yusuke down as she hopped up and rolled across his back. Swinging her foot high, she kicked one of the soldiers alongside the head, snapping it's neck from the force. Touya impaled a demon with his ice sword and the three stood back to back.
"What is it Riley?" Yusuke asked, dodging a blade.
"Erect a barrier around all of you. I have an idea."
"Whatever you say, boss."
Hiei, Kazuma, and Kurama appeared along side Yusuke and Touya and the Tantei created a barrier of Reiki with Hiei's help. Riley walked forward, dodging and countering blows. When she stood in the middle of the offenders, she heightened her own Reiki.
"Chikara, Dokyou, Faia, Hikari, Shinzoo, Koi, Mikomi." she chanted three times.
The wind picked up around her and an aura surrounded her. It glowed like fire; reds, oranges, yellows, and black. The demons around her stopped their pursuit. She smirked at them. Raising her arms in the air, she moved them in a figure-eight motion, slow at first, but picked up speed. The energy whirled around her hands, gaining a slivery hue.
"Pyre Cannonade!" she shouted, throwing her arms outward.
The aura whipped around her, lashing out at the demons. Those who were assaulted by the attack died instantly. Sweat ran down her face as she used most of her Reiki to sustain the aura. Within a minute, though it felt longer, the demons were exterminated. Through the smoke present, the guys saw Riley collapse to the ground, her energy extinguished. They ran over to her as soon as Yusuke and Hiei dropped the shield. Kurama picked up her head and she blinked open her eyes.
"Ku...rama?"
"Yes. How are you feeling?"
"Like shit."
"Hn, onna. How much energy did you use on that?" Hiei asked as he bent over to pick her up.
"Quite a lot, but it worked."
"That it did." Touya agreed.
"Let's head home." Yusuke suggested.
"Keep an eye out, Tantei. We will always be watching you." shouted a voice from the smoke surrounding them.
They looked around them to see five figures surrounding them. In the blink of an eye, they were gone. Kurama cast Hiei a weary glance before they turned around and walked out of the fairgrounds to meet up with the others. A lone figure stood atop a concession stand, brown eyes watching the Tantei's fading forms.
Well, let me know what you think. I will not be able to work on teh next chapter because the charger for my laptop is broken and I am working on limited battery.
Jinx-the-Pink-Goddess