Chapter 22:
-(Reikai)-
"You let her get away." His voice was dull. "WHY! WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYYYYYYYYY!"
"Hey, I'm not the one who actually waved her a goodbye."
Touya glared back evenly at Yusuke. "I didn't let her walk away."
"But you didn't do that good of a job stopping her," stated a shadow flatly.
"Where did she head?" asked Genkai.
Touya closed his eyes briefly. "East. The closest way out of the forest. She was slightly damp- so I guess she hid out near the lake before retrieving her swords. She didn't want to leave them behind."
"Her swords… Why would they be outside?" Evidently, Kurama still didn't hear about Hiei's lesson to Yumiko.
"All right short stuff, what did you do to her?"
"Hn."
"Speak up shorty! Or am I going to have to force it out of you!"
"You couldn't force me to do anything idiot."
"Shrimp!"
"Weakling."
"Stop this you two," input Kurama sternly. "When was she last seen?"
"Touya saw 'im." Jin was levitating worriedly.
"And before him?" the kitsune prompted.
"Hiei was training her in the forest," responded Yusuke.
"What happened Hiei?" demanded Koenma.
A bored look had settled over his face long ago. "She can get over her fit by herself."
"Hiei, you know this does not help your probation situation," the prince said worriedly.
"Hn."
"Track her down," the toddler ordered. "I want her back in the Ningenkai by four days. Now get out." They left. He sighed, rubbing his forehead, pinching his nose too.
"Genkai."
"…" The old master didn't say anything.
"Six days. Then we will have to put her up against Rando."
-(Ningenkai)-
"Miss."
"Unh…"
"Miss, this is the last stop."
"What?" She sat up blinking. The train conductor stood there, patiently waiting for her to get out of her seat. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm a deep sleeper." She gave a little laugh before stuffing all of her things back in her duffel. She slid out of the aisle, stepping off the train onto the platform.
Night was now even darker. She sighed. Spotting a half awake attendant at the train station, she walked up to her. "I'm sorry, but could you tell me if there's a transport to Hokkaido? A safe boat…?"
It took a few seconds to register and think about the problem. "Hm… a girl came by just asking about that. I told her there's a liner about to depart in about fifteen minutes."
Aw d---. "Where is it?"
"About a half a mile north. There's a town there."
"Thank you so much." She slipped the woman a couple of yen, then took off at a quick jog towards the so said boat. 'I'm really beginning to get tired of all this running.'
Sliding into the town, she ran up to the boat. The gatekeeper was slightly surprised at her rush. "Did you reserve a ticket?"
"No," she panted out breathlessly. "But I'll pay my way."
"I'm afraid that you're only allowed on if you have a reservation," he said.
"How much would a ticket have been?" she asked.
"I can't-"
She shoved a wad of money at his chest
"-welcome aboard miss."
Yumiko grinned. Greedy fools. She stepped up onto the deck, the man below soon beginning to unknot the ropes that bound the ship to the wooden docks. She had just made it.
Sitting down on a bench, she relaxed. Glad that she was protected by the nipping winds, she stared out at the water.
"Hey." Someone sat down next to her. "Act as if you don't know me."
"Know who?" she murmured. A glance out of the corner of her eyes gave her the view of a female, around her age- the one from the train. But her knowledge of the strange character did not increase- she was now in a cloak that hid her form.
"Hm." She swept out some of the folds of her cloak. "So. Heading to Hokkaido?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Hmph. Who wouldn't look out for their friends?"
"Not many people would call me that." Yumiko fingered a wisp of hair, elbow propped up on the back of the bench. "Who are you?"
"Have you forgotten me already Hiya?"
She pushed the woman off the bench. "You b----!" She tackled her.
-(Tokyo)-
"Her scent is steadily getting colder." Kurama started to walk quickly. "But traceable."
"Can you manage? Or do we need Youko to come out?"
"No, it's not necessary." Had anyone been paying attention, they would have noticed that his voice was a bit harsher when he said this.
The barrier Yumiko had put up had dissipated long ago, so he followed her tracks, sniffing occasionally. Leading the train through the forest, they emerged, seeing the lights of Tokyo in the distance. Walking along, drew closer, eventually combing the streets. "I can't distinguish it." He sighed, burying his face in his hands. "It's too hard- she went through the busy parts of Tokyo. Even though it's night, there are too many people."
"We'll have to bring your counterpart out, if you want to find the girl," said Hiei, bored.
"We can't have him out. A four-tailed kitsune? The humans can't see that," argued Jin.
"There's no other way though."
"I think it's up to Kurama- see what he wants."
The redhead sighed. "I don't really have a choice, do I?" His body began its transformation, shrinking, developing silver fur. His eyes turned golden, now more alert and wary. Four tails waved gently, but the kitsune twined them about each other, so that they appeared more like one. His head cocked to the side. "Will you follow?"
"Hn. Just lead fox."
Putting his nose to the ground, the fox was off, steadily progressing. Passing through the dark streets, the problem of demon sighting by humans helped by the lack of said mortals, and the darkness, the kitsune eventually passed through the park. Snuffling, he took off at a fast gait. The others, now tired by this, sped up in hope.
Hurling his body against a wooden door, he made a significantly loud bang. Yipping and barking, quietly enough so that neighbors didn't wake, he kept at it until the door opened to reveal a man. Pushing past him, he was stopped.
"I do believe you are intruding upon my house, kitsune," he sneered, holding him by the scruff of his neck. Kurama bared his fangs in response, revealing the danger of being bitten.
"Where's Yumiko?" demanded Jin.
The man turned. "Jin. Would you dare explain why a kitsune has intruded?"
"We're looking for Yumiko. Roka, we know she's here. Let us in."
"She's not here," responded the man darkly. "Now get out."
"She's been here," snapped Yusuke. "Now where is she!"
"Hmph." The man glared. "I don't know. I'm not telling you anything either."
A sword was held to his neck. "Tell us now or you die."
"It's going to take more than a sword to get information out of me," Roka responded. He released the youko, but nevertheless did not let him past the entrance. Holding up his left arm, decorated with scars, "I am the former chosen of Tsukiyomi."
"Then you are a Suzuki," the koorime said passively.
"Yes." His eyes hardened. "Now remove your weapon."
"Hn."
"Why do you protect her so closely? She is not your kin, and not your age."
"Takeo. He is her guardian. I am now legally so to the humans, but he still holds that role. Though I have sworn that I would do what he could not as his spirit watches over her."
With frustration, the koorime stepped away. Unwrapping his bandana, he searched the area for her energy. Extending his range farther and farther until he couldn't take it, he redid the coverings. "I can't sense her."
"And you won't," spat Roka. "My kin and hers are in a delicate balance between the gods. Leave."
"I don't think you understand," yipped the fox. "More than one person can think for the welfare of Yumiko. We are trying to help. Now tell us where she is."
"She left. That's all I will say," said he. "And you won't find her in Tokyo city." He spat on the floor. "Now get off of my property. All of you." They obeyed, the door slamming shut behind them. Yusuke opened his communicator.
"Hey, toddler, respond."
"Did you find her Yusuke?" A worried prince appeared on the screen.
"Nah. This 'Roka' guy told us that she left."
"He said that Yumiko is no longer in Tokyo."
"We'll have to do a ki check then," the toddler said, sighing. "Anything else?"
"A Suzuki." Hiei glared at the communicator. "A Suzuki and a Sato."
"Heh, well, uh, a coincidence Hiei?"
"Tell Koenma that I will talk to him when we get back to Reikai," input Kurama. Touya did so, causing Koenma to chuckle nervously.
"Well, since you're all in the Ningenkai, I guess you can all go home from there! Bye-!"
"Jus' open a portal Koenma." Jin levitated above Yusuke, poking his head over his shoulder. "Me, Touya, n' Kurama want to talk."
"Oh- but, but- oh fine." A glowing blue portal appeared. "Fine."
"Bye pacifier-breath." The detective waved goodbye to his friends as they stepped into the glowing circle.
Koenma was nervously wringing his hands as the three demons stepped into his offices.
"Koenma." Steely blue eyes glanced down upon the cowering toddler. "What are you plotting?"
"I- I- well… it's a tradition!"
"Tell us."
"Well, uh, the-the sun goddess and the moon god are acting up again!"
"And you think to set up another battle?"
"Well… yes?"
"Rando is our main concern now," hissed the ice apparition dangerously. "Not the gods. You can't possibly be thinking about having the Sato and the Suzuki fight now."
"But this month of the year-"
"The battle is unnecessary-!"
"The battle is a tradition to keep Tsukiyomi and Amaterasu from fighting-!"
Jin picked at his ear distractedly. "Well, if Yumiko loses, no more. Sure, the Suzuki clan is alive and well, but what about the Sato clan? They're almost annihilated except for one- Yumiko. If you don't cancel the fight for this year, then there won't be any fighters for another year."
"Well-" he stuttered "-she'll be sure to win-"
"Yumiko is in no way compatible with the current Suzuki chosen. He has many years of experience, she has at most two weeks."
"I know." Koenma sighed. "But my father told me that it's quite troublesome with the two of them arguing constantly. They never quit and they always turn out nasty. I remember the first time, he killed Uke Mochi-"
"Yumiko is not meant to be a chosen. She is different from the rest of the Sato Clan- her powers-"
A kitsune leaped up onto the desk, startling the other. "If you two will kindly leave us- Koenma and I have much to talk about." Jin protested a little, but Touya pulled him out. Once the door closed, the fox reverted into his other form.
"Reveal to me your plans for Yumiko," he stated calmly, golden eyes dangerous.
"Err… well, you know I can't do that, I mean, confidential of course-"
"Koenma, I have been very clear as to what my wishes are. Do not make me resort to other methods."
He sighed. "The two weeks end Rando has given us is almost halfway gone. She must be ready to fight him."
"Hm."
"And the battle of the Moon and Sun is coming up- fifteen years has almost gone. As the last Sato, Yumiko has to participate in the fight with the Suzuki Clan."
"Roka vs. Yumiko."
"No." The prince shook his head. "A new chosen has been elected for the battle."
"And when Yumiko loses-" Koenma winced "-what will happen?"
"She will die."
"And I cannot allow that to happen- how does Rando tie in with this?"
"He doesn't directly. But he has all of the traditional secret techniques of the Sato Clan. We must capture him and teach them to Yumiko so that she can win. Then hope that she will have a child in the next fifteen years, or win again."
"The new chosen of the Suzuki- what is his name?"
"Let me see." Koenma turned to his computer, accessing some files. A picture popped up on the screen- dark long hair, swept back, and indigo eyes. Around the same age of Yumiko, surprisingly. "A girl."
"Suzuki Sachi."
: End Chapter
Insaneningen14: another New Years gift to you- I updated! Happy and healthy to you all!
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