I worked on this thing all night so I could have it posted. In here, there is lots of sad events and the battle to save the worlds begins. I hope you all enjoy and will not be too angry at me.

A lone figure sat upon a rock, gazing out towards the west where a swirl of colors appeared. Red, yellow, green, blue, and purplish-silver danced in the sky, an aura of darkness surrounding it. The trees near it were higher than the others in the forest and leaned in towards the light. The wind had picked up around the land and, with every flash of intense light at the site in west, tremors ran within the earth, shaking it at it's very core. The rivers to the north and south had flooded over, traveling towards the west so as to join the disarray. A hand on the shoulder stirred the woman from her watchings. Gazing behind her, she found four people. Kohaku had tears running down his face and Jambuea was not far off. Sabuso had an arm around the girls shoulders, attempting to calm her down. Mitarai sat beside the woman.

"Riley, have you had any luck in finding Spirit?" he asked her.

"Yes, actually. They know of who they are and will join us before the end."

"Are they a man or woman?" Jambuea wondered, gazing out at the forest ahead.

"That I am not sure of. I cannot decipher it. Believe me, I have tried, but they must already have a firm hold of their element."

The five gazed out, once more, at the Oppressors gathering. Riley felt something brush against her leg and looked down to she Haru, Kohaku's fox kit, watching her with large emerald and chocolate eyes. Her golden-brown fir felt soft under Riley's hand as she stroked the loveable animal. Haru curled up in the princesses lap and easily fell asleep. With one last look, Riley rose from her seat, made sure to have a hold on Haru, knelt down so Kohaku could hop onto her back, and headed back to Enki's castle, the other Quinque following behind.

"We will gather some to go with you. There are guards around here that will help your cause. I would go with you as well, but..."

"I know Enki-sama. You have to run your lands and prepare for the next Tournament. We can take care of this." Riley assured him.

Kurama, Botan, Yusuke, Keiko, Jin, Chai, Touya, Kazuma, Yukina, Kohaku, Sabuso, Jambuea, Mitarai, Koenma, Enki, Riley, and Hiei sat around a large, circular table in that order. They had been discussing strategies for the past 5 hours. It was late at night now and plates of food were being served to them. A map was stretched out in the middle of the table, a pointer laying across it. As they ate they discussed different ways to catch the Oppressors off guard, any thing from an ambush to weaponry to peaceful talking. Riley watched the Quinque out of the corner of her eye and could see their growing anticipation and fear. They knew that when dawn comes they will set out to fight the Oppressors. It scared them, because, though they had a hold of their powers, the Oppressors were demons who had their powers all their life.

Riley sighed and gazed to her left. Hiei had his head tilted to the left, away from her, and was gazing out the open window. The light of the ritual to the west was even brighter at night. He also looked to be deep in thought so Riley did not disturb him. Looking back at the others, she caught Touya's eyes. They seemed to be a slightly darker shade of blue. He nodded at her and she back. Her father's hand on her shoulder forced her to turn away.

"Yes?" she asked, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"You never explained to us how the Quinque ritual is performed."

"Ah, yes. The Quinque call upon their elements for help, to protect them from danger. Next, using their power stones, they encircle the Oppressors and place a barrier around themselves and them using the borrowed power. With that, they begin the ritual. Facing inwards, they create a pentacle of Reiki, each standing at their appropriate ends. A chant is performed and, from then on, the sealing and banishing is done."

"What happens exactly with the sealing and banishing, I mean, how do we do that?" Jambuea wondered, gazing at Riley.

"No one knows. There was no witness to the last sealing and the Quinque died then. Nobody was around to record. I assume the ritual is embedded into the Quinque soul and when you four undergo the transformation, it will come to you. That is all the information I know."

"And it is helpful." Koenma assured her. "But can you explain to us the calling of the elements."

"Of course. There is a special chant that you all perform. Each of you face your appropriate direction with your power stone and recite a verse in a particular order. Spirit, however, stands in the center while reciting their part and gazes skyward. By doing this, they invoke power from their element, thereby enhancing their own power. With this, they can seal away and banish the Oppressor's souls in the final ritual."

Everyone sat in deep thought. Riley sat back in her chair and gazed up at the chandelier above her. The crystals sent reflections all over the room from the candles. Turning her gaze to the window, she noticed that the Oppressor's light had diminished slightly. They were losing their energy. Jumping up, she startled everyone.

"What is it?" Kurama asked, rising.

"We must get to them now. They are losing power. We might have the advantage."

The group gazed around at each other before standing as well. Flooding out the door, they hurried to their rooms to gather their weapons and to change. Riley ran along side Hiei to their rooms. He stopped her before she could open her door.

"What is it Hiei?" she questioned.

"Don't fight." he demanded of her.

"Why not?"

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"I can handle myself."

"You aren't fully healed. Something could happen to you!" Hie yelled, catching the attention of the others in the hall.

"I want to fight Hiei. I cannot afford to lose any friends!"

"We could lose you!"

"I don't care...so long as all of you are alright, I am fine."

"You would die to save us?"

"Of course, wouldn't you?"

Hiei grew quiet at that question. He cared deeply for everyone, especially Yukina and Riley. He would fight to save them, but was he willing to die for them? Is he ready to take the blade for his sister, for his friends, for Riley?

"Hiei, we must get ready. You cannot stop me, none of you can. I want to fight to save all of you, to save the worlds. It is my duty as Princess of Souls to protect everyone. Just accept this."

"I cannot."

"Do you not trust me?" she asked with tears coming to her eyes.

"I do not trust...no one."

"Not even me?"

Meeting her eyes briefly, he turned away from her and headed to her room. Sadness and anger rolled off of her body as she walked into her room, slamming the door. She was furious with Hiei now. He didn't trust her, nor did he care that she was hurt. As tears came down her face, she made her way about the room, gathering the weapons that hung from the walls. The light of the Oppressors shined about the land, though it was diminishing, it was still bright. It came into her room. Riley made her way over to the window and looked out.

"Perhaps it is for the best. Hiei and I are not meant to be together, only pain lies in the future. What if one of us is to die while battling against the Oppressors? How silly I am to think that there could be something between him and myself. He feels nothing for me, I should accept it. But why does it hurt saying that? I love him, that much I know. He does not harbour those feelings for me. He loathes me utterly, he only used me." she assured herself.

Gliding over to the wardrobe, she plucked out an outfit consisting of a white, sleeveless, Chinese-style tunic reaching her hips and black pants. She wore her shoes in the same manner that Hiei did, with the wraps up her ankles and simple slip-ons. Wraps decorated both arms and went across her chest, though they couldn't be seen. Strapping a katana to her back and placing guns in her thigh holsters, she picked up a staff and marched out of the room, down to the entrance. She met Touya, Jin, Chai, and the four Quinque there.

"Are you nervous?" Touya asked his cousin.

"Aren't you?"

"We all are." Jambuea voiced, it echoing what everyone thought.

"I'm scared." Kohaku cried.

Yukina came down the hall and instantly scooped Kohaku up. The child cried in his 'mothers' arms. Kazuma joined them, wrapping his arms around the two. Yusuke and Keiko came in holding hands, Kurama and Botan right behind them. Riley knew her father would travel back to Reikai to prepare the defenses, in case the worst was to happen. Hiei arrived not even two seconds later. Riley glanced at all of them, before walking to the doors. The guards opened them for her and the others. When they got outside, a small army of 50 were assembled and ready to go.

"Is this now the fight for survival? Are we to emerge victorious or will evil reign?" Riley asked aloud, once again setting her eyes on the ritual lights.

"Kazuma, watch out!" Riley yelled amidst the fighting.

Said man turned in time to block a blow that would have taken off his head, but got, instead, a blade to the abdomen. His eyes widened in shock before he gathered himself to kill the demon that had stabbed him. A group of them replaced their fallen ally. Kazuma was swamped in the battle. His wound was bleeding profusely, slowing him down. The last of the demons stood before him, a malicious grin on it's ugly face. It charged and Kazuma blocked. It lashed out and Kazuma dodged. It sidestepped in the middle of a swing, making Kazuma stutter. That was all that was needed. The demon spun back around and got Kazuma in the chest, right next to his heart. Kazuma fell to his knees, dead before he even touched the ground.

Yukina sat on the ground with Keiko, protected by the barrier that was being controlled by Puu. She watched the battle unfurl. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kazuma being stabbed. A scream came out of her throat, catching everyone's attention. They all turned to see him dead on the ground. This made Yusuke furious. Running from his position by the barrier, he hurried to his friend. A demon took this to it's advantage. During Puu's distraction with Yukina, it managed to get through. Wrapping it's filthy hands around Keiko, it pulled her out.

Riley ran to meet Yusuke. The demon that had killed Kazuma was fighting him. It was being beaten down quickly and harshly. She jumped in front of Yusuke, effectively blocking a blade that was aimed at him by throwing her arm out. It embedded itself into the forearm, but she didn't flinch. Sending a look to Yusuke, she jumped at the demon. Reiki rolled off of her right hand and she punched the demon straight through the chest, her arm coming out the other side, the demon's heart in her hand. A scream once again caught her attention and she whipped her head around to see Keiko being held by a demon. She spun fast on her heal, but was not quick enough. The demon holding her slit her throat. Yusuke watched this and tears came to his eyes.

"Keiko.." he chocked, watching the life leave his fiance's eyes.

Riley felt tears spring to her eyes. The demon smirked at this and dropped the body of Keiko into the dirt, only to be annihilated by dark flames. Hiei jumped down next to Keiko and picked her up, cradling her head. Yusuke sat in a petrified state beside his dead best friend. Hiei came up to him and gently laid Keiko before the weeping detective.

"I am sorry." he said, sympathy blatantly obvious in his voice.

Riley couldn't stand watching anymore and took her frustrations out of the nearest enemy. Her sword sliced it to bits, it's blood splattering her white tunic. Her anger got a hold of her and she lashed out at all the enemy demons. She too became distracted and was caught by a blade. It went straight through her back and out of her stomach, penetrating the top of her diaphragm and left lung. A gasp welded up in her throat as her eyes meet those of Hiei's. Shock was on his face. Kurama and Touya ran to her side, a rose whip killing the demon that stabbed her. The sword was removed slowly from her back and she fell onto Kurama, trying to catch her breath.

"Riley! Stay with me here!" Kurama cried out to her, tears truly running down his face.

"Protect...the others." she stuttered, blood coming up her throat. "The Quinque...must hurry...Spirit...meet them there."

"Please don't talk." Touya hushed her, smoothing out her hair.

"I...am sorry."

Riley gasped for breath. Looking into the eyes of her friends, she faced the Quinque. A smile came to her face as she sent them a telepathic message.

'The world's are yours to protect now. We have done our part. You go do yours. The transformation will begin momentarily.'

Her eyes fluttered shut and her head hung limp. Kurama called to her but she did not respond. Placing her body onto the ground, he stood up and looked at all the others. Yukina, Botan, Yusuke, Jambuea, Chai, and Kohaku all had tears in their eyes and Jin and Touya looked on the verge. Hiei's face remained emotionless, but his eyes spoke differently. He held Yukina close to him, rubbing her back and whispering words into her ear that none could hear except her.

"We should get going." Kurama told the others. "Koenma will come to gather our friends."

Yusuke placed a final kiss on Keiko's forehead before standing up and walking towards the Oppressor's area. Jin, Touya, and Chai followed after him. The Quinque each took the moment to say good bye to the departed before going as well. Kurama took the crying Botan into his arms and kissed the top of her head as tears ran down his face as well. It will be hard trying to tell her family and his. Hiei still held Yukina to him, her resting her head against his chest. Laying a soft kiss on her head, he released her and walked over to Riley. She looked peaceful laying on the ground, despite the wound on her chest. He knelt beside her and brushed the bangs away from her face. What he did to her at the castle was cruel and he regretted not apologizing. He placed a kiss on her forehead before collecting his sister in his arms and walking away. Kurama and Botan went with them as well.

Kohaku held onto Mitarai's hand tightly as they entered the field with Sabuso and Jambuea. The Fire and Earth Elementals held hands as well. The Oppressors stood in the middle of this field, their auras surrounding them. A portal, the same color as their auras, glowed above them. It wasn't complete, but was close to it. The Spirit Oppressor stood furthest away from the Quinque, but noticed them. He signaled to the others and they stopped their ritual momentarily.

"Well, look who has finally come to die." Ki-Shin said jauntily, earning a chuckle from the Oppressors.

Yusuke stood along side the Quinque, Jin, Touya, and Chai with him. Hiei, Yukina, Kurama, and Botan came up behind and also stood along side. Yusuke's Reiki flared around him violently, but stopped when a light started to emanate from Sabuso, Jambuea, Kohaku, and Mitarai. Each light matched the corresponding element, blue for water, red for fire, green for earth, and yellow for air. The light encompassed them, everyone having to block their eyes. As it diminished, they saw the forms that the Quinque had taken.

Sabuso stood taller than he was previously. His brown hair grew to his lower back, bangs flaring out in all directions. Emerald eyes bore into the Earth Oppressor, his opposite. Jambuea had flaming red hair tinged in black. It was chopped short and looked like fire upon her head. Haunting red eyes littered with speckles of oranges and yellows watched Fire. Mitarai's once vibrant blonde hair was now a ocean blue, wavy and about his shoulders. His eyes remained the same blue color, but now had a mystical look to them. Kohaku was still small and his golden hair was the same. It was in three inch spikes on his head and seemed to move, though wind was absent. The gold in his eyes made him look far older than he was. The Tantei watched them in awe.

"Where is Spirit?" Kohaku asked Sabuso.

"She's late." he told him, crossing his arms and looking ahead.

"Why is she late?"

"We do not know." Jambuea assured the child.

"Perhaps something happened." Mitarai suggested.

The Oppressors watched the Quinque with evil eyes. The advanced on them, fire to water, earth to air. Ki-Shin hung back, feeding his energy to the still growing portal. Spirit was absent,much to his advantage, or so he thought. An arrow of white energy embedded itself into the ground before his feet, disappearing instantly. Everyone turned their attention to the figure standing on the tree nearby. White hair with purple tips whipped around them, mingling with the white cloak they wore. They could see that under the cloak, the person wore a skirt reaching the ankles and had a strapless white top on. Purple eyes gazed at them all. The face of the person was undistinguishable. She leapt down and landed in front of the her own. The now united Quinque stood in a line. Before the Oppressors could react, the Quinque circled them; Spirit, Water, Fire, Earth, and Air clockwise.

Mitarai faced the west and began chanting, Reiki flaring up around him, as well as the other Quinque.

"Hail, Guardians of the watery West
as Bearers of love and courage,
We invoke you and call upon you,
Tears of our mother.
With chalice and bowl,
Witness and protect our woven circle.
Come, be with us now!"

Jambuea followed, facing south.

"Hail, Guardians of the fiery South,
as Bearers of will and healing,
We invoke you and call upon you
Spirit of our mother
With wand and flame,
Witness and protect our woven circle.
Come, be with us now!"

Sabuso went after her, facing North.

"Hail, Guardians of the earthen North,
as Bearers of growth and wisdom,
we invoke you and call upon you
Body of our mother.
With pentacle and stone,
Witness and protect our woven circle.
Come, be with us now!"

Kohaku stuttered at first, but chanted as well, gazing eastward.

"Hail, Guardians of the airy East
as Bearers of knowledge and learning,
We invoke you and call upon you,
Breath of our mother.
With sword and censer,
Witness and protect our woven Circle.
Come, be with us now!"

The cloaked Spirit Quinque looked up at the sky, arms spread, and chanted.

"Hail, Spiritual Guardians from all around
as Bearers of love and life
we invoke you and call upon you
Life of our mother
With heart and soul
Witness and protect our woven circle
Come, be with us now!"

The Quinque looked at the center where the Oppressors stood, unable to move. They chanted in unison.

"Our circle woven,
Now we lie between worlds,
Beyond time and place,
Transformed and transcended,
Within the soul of our mother,
The binding and sealing comense."

This chapter is just the beginning. I truely hope no one is too mad at me. Let me know what all of you thought.

Jinx-the-Pink-Goddess