A/N: Hello once again for the first time in a rather long time, Audience!
First of all, shout out to Emzybubble for PMing me. You're the best and also this chapter is dedicated to you.~
I apologize for the long-quiet absence. Things are actually going just fine with the family AND, surprise of surprises, the little Siamese kitten Ramses is alive and well and no worse for the wear other than discovering that he likely has the cat-version of herpes, which is genetic in the feline strain, and having to give him lysine twice a day to ensure that he can continue fighting it off (it weakens the immune system). He still sometimes sneezes and has some congestion issues, but he's a maniac and a bundle of joy all rolled up into one so that we can hardly imagine how wild he would be if he were completely well.
Suffice it to say the thought is actually a little unnerving.
In other news, CM had gotten a new job within the time frame of my chapter posts stopping and so we had not written on the RP in a very long time, only just now sort of starting to pull things together and begin writing again.
I am not willing to set up a new posting schedule as of right now, and just so you know, I did not actually go through and "edit" anything about this chapter. I wanted to get back into the groove of posting it instead of just putting it off because I feel as if I don't have the time to devote to it. So, what you'll see here (and possibly in the future) is exactly what was written in the doc the day that CM and I wrote it.
I vaguely remember mentioning wanting to go back and put in the translations for the Japanese words we were using in the fic (for like names and stuff) and I can not-so-vaguely admit that's probably a project that won't ever get done.
I'll also admit that I haven't at this point gone back and reread the fic in a long time, so honestly if you see any inconsistencies of any nature from this chapter on out (or feel that there are holes in the plot which you would like to see filled), please feel free to PM me or post it in a review to gives me a heads-up about it as, for the moment, I can't really see myself having the time to check such things in as much detail as before AND not to mention the fact that CM and I are SO far ahead in our writing than where this chapter is that these chapters almost seem out of place to my brain.
The length of the "previously" is partially so long so that anyone coming back to read won't necessarily have to go back in order to catch themselves up.
Symbols Guide:
* : Written by CM; She writes for Akari and Hiei
3 : Written by Star (supposed to be the 'heart' symbol, but FF doesn't like the 'less-than' sign, so it's a 3 instead); She writes for Toriko/Shikiyoku and Youko/Kurama
~!**!~ : A universal transition between scenes or characters, sometimes used to indicate a passage of time, but most often used to transition between major scenes that are happening. As the story progresses, this will evolve into mainly separating the (usually two) scenes happening between authors/characters.
As a general rule, anything in italics is thoughts.
Unless it's used in a sentence like this, which merely indicates emphasis.
[Anything written in italics inside square brackets is Youko speaking to Shuichi/Kurama inside their mind and is private conversation, unable to be picked up by telepathy.]
{Anything written in italics inside curly brackets is inner dialogue by Shuichi/Kurama to Youko, and is also private conversation, unable to be picked up by telepathy.}
"Quotations are usually reserved specifically for telepathic dialogue being transmitted from one being to another, but sometimes this can also mean a character isn't being careful about what they're thinking and anyone with telepathy in the nearby vicinity can listen in without taking any effort."
The only exception to that last rule is for the Shiba Inu dog, Nabu. All of his "spoken" dialogue will be in italics and quotations, but is communicated through body language or dog-like noises, so unless a character is able to translate those they are unlikely to pick up on what he is saying any more than the average person might understand his general moods like aggression (bared teeth, ears back) or excitement (wagging tail).
The above rule also applies to Akari's old friend Isamu when he is in his dog-form.
Previously on Yu Yu Hakusho!
Still in mourning over Taka's death, Hiei catches Shikiyoku unawares after days of her not paying the least bit of attention to him, stuck in a cycle of sadness with Kitoushi.
He asks her if she knows what she forgot, but captivated by the look on his face, Shikiyoku can think of little to say.
Grabbing her by the hand and twisting them between the layers, Hiei ends up with the two of them near his old childhood hideout, where that had in the past leapt from the side of the cliff to meet with the phoenix.
After all but admitting she has no idea what she forgot, Hiei insists that she had forgotten him, something he did not appreciate, and then allows her a head-start, which at first she does not understand.
Shikiyoku catches on quickly as she backs away and Hiei begins to give chase, taking a page from Youko's book, never intentionally capturing her, but reminding her very clearly that he could catch her at any moment he wished.
That is, until she began running between the layers.
Using the method she had perfected long ago when she had been infected with the Crusnik virus, Shikiyoku is easily able to outdistance Hiei, reminding him of how hard he had to work to catch her originally, and surprising him with how fluidly she was able to execute the most efficient passage into and out of layers to set her along at the highest rate of speed possible.
Attempting to get the hang of the skill, Hiei finds it to be more difficult that he first thought, and when he finally drops back to allow her to run as she wishes, Shikiyoku circles around and joins him, taking him by the hand and leading him through her dance by example with a clear mind and a sure step, showing him that one did not think about the process, but simply let it occur.
After a while, she drops back to let him lead her and he does, perhaps not quite as completely successfully as Shikiyoku herself, but with enough surety to make the experience one he wasn't likely soon to forget.
He eventually slows them down, sweating for the first time ever during a run and admiring her for having perfected the skill.
She insists she only reverted to it because he was cheating.
They exchange friendly, amusing banter, though Shikiyoku is eventually reminded of her sorrow, though she attempts to distract herself from it. Hiei senses it and prompts her with an inquiry about 'what next,' and Shikiyoku claims that she 'doesn't know,' still thinking of how she might approach him about removing the marking swirls growing over his skin.
Still attempting to distract her from her mourning, Hiei takes off again with Shikiyoku in tow, trying to think of something that might keep her thoughts from being so dark and gloomy.
~!**!~
After a near-death experience while attempting to relearn how to walk between the layers of New Human World and Demon World, Kurama and Akari are laying together on Akari's bed at Yomi's complex after Kurama worked to heal Akari of her injuries. Their conversation is stiff and formal at first, given the likelihood that Yomi himself is listening in. Granted, this doesn't stop them from poking fun at him, treading dangerous water as they both throw a bit of caution to the wind. They do manage to withhold their laughter at what they attempt to make appear like a very serious conversation.
On the threat of revoking his use-of-the-shower-in-her-room-privileges, Kurama promises to stay with her as long as he can, to distract her from the experience that lead them both to laying in bed.
Within his own thoughts, Kurama reveals that Raizen has now recruited Yusuke and Mukuro has sent an invitation to none other than Shikiyoku for the she-demon to join Mukuro's side.
Believing that she's dreaming, after Akari and Kurama fall asleep, Akari finds herself wandering the halls of Yomi's complex. When she wakes from the dream, she feels more tired and sore than before and decides to attempt a shower to ease her pain. While Kurama at first wishes to invoke his shower-privileges, he manages to resist the temptation-despite Youko's voice in his head-to follow up on his semi-threat to join her. She comes back, clothed, to lay next to him when she is finished.
The next time she awakens, an indeterminate amount of time later, Kurama is still there, and it appears as if she has had a dreamless sleep. After her telling him that she is typically mean in her sleep, Kurama insists she had nothing but kindness for him as she slept...
Akari gave a small hum at Kurama, otherwise not giving a reply to his reassurances. Half of her expected more to be added to that, what with his commentary-
I'd forgotten about that.
Her eyes narrowed slightly at him, though she wasn't exactly sure what to say about his commentary consisting of coming from the shower in only a towel. And the question about shower privileges that-
Why did I even say it in the first place?
She huffed at Kurama. I guess I earned that one. *
Youko began laughing.
[I think she suddenly remembered me, Red!]
{However she managed to forget about you is completely beyond me.}
[It's true, I am rather memorable after all. I suppose I should be insulted.]
{It has been a long time.}
[I suppose it can't be helped.]
...
[I wonder what she would say if she knew most of what you've said this time around has been all you?]
{I think it would be just about the same as what she would say if she knew we had been speaking in tandem more lately.}
[We should really take some time to study this phenomenon.]
{I think I can tell you the reason without going to all the trouble.}
[Hmph. Fine. Take all the fun out of it.]
~!**!~
As Hiei pulled Shikiyoku in a different direction, she found herself sneaking a brief glance at him.
How are you not tired yet?
Even she could feel the effects of running with the layers, and there was no doubt in her mind that her stamina would outlast Hiei's by more than a thousand leagues even still.
The thought, the remembrance really, that he was so young had the smallest smile playing across her lips.
If he learns how to keep up now, just imagine how terrible he'll be at your age.
He has to live that long first.
...which brought Shikiyoku back around to ensuring he lived that long in the first place. Which meant getting rid of that stupid Mark. 3
Even as Hiei pulled Shikiyoku along, his mind made another cycle back to irritating, bothersome thoughts. And when he realized it was getting harder to push them away, he noticed for the first time that his relaxation was actually his own laziness, stemmed from feeling drained and as if he needed a nice, long nap.
His feet suddenly stopped moving and he turned inward, assessing himself from the inside out until he realized that it was probably due to their little fun between the layers. Through the layers and even around them.
...No wonder he'd been sweating.
Which, now that he remembered that too, his lips twitched downward a fraction.
It had been such a subtle deprivation of energy at the time that he hadn't even noticed. And now that he noticed, he realized the grumpiness that was beginning to bloom was not because of Shikiyoku- not really- but because he'd spent so much energy being guided through odd forces.
Hn.
He glanced at Shikiyoku, curious about her own dexterity towards the layer-traversing.
And not for the first time, he found himself thinking how impressive it was that she'd not only figured it out, but mastered it.
~!**!~
"You're a pain," Akari suddenly grumbled, scrunching her nose at the redhead next to her. She couldn't rightly say anything in regards to the remarks, because really, he'd brought them on herself. Given him the opportunity.
She wasn't sure if she should be embarrassed or irritated with herself.
Now I know. *
"Oh, come now, grumpy." Kurama scrunched his nose right back at her. "You can't say you weren't having any fun."
He leaned forward and gently teased her nose with his own, smiling a little at her.
"Because I was there. And you were."
~!**!~
When Hiei stopped moving, Shikiyoku found herself peering up at him, blinking questioningly.
He gave her a glance, but said nothing and she let aimless thoughts turn over in her mind as she tried to assess his well-being.
What time is it?
It was still dark.
Who knows how long we spent running. I know I lost months that way.
It hasn't been quite that long.
Because Kit hasn't come looking for you yet, that's why.
Should take him to-
But he doesn't like-
Heh.
"What layer are we on?" Shikiyoku piped up absently, turning inwards to feel out their location. 3
Hiei raised a brow at Shikiyoku's sudden question, his train of thought completely careening away from the running and the fun they'd had, and even away from the slow drain in his body that left him progressively more tired.
He didn't even have to glance around to answer her.
"The fourth." His lips twitched; he'd go wherever she wanted to go.
~!**!~
If the redhead hadn't come so close, Akari would have stuck her tongue out at him. But with the close proximity, she really, really didn't think it a good idea. Which, actually, made her lips twitch and a small sound threaten to bubble from her mouth.
Okay, so she had had a bit of fun. Making fun of Yomi and-
Dear lord I hope he wasn't listening.
She nudged her nose against his as she let out a breath. "I can't get away with anything when you're around." *
"Slight correction: you can get away with anything when I'm around." Kurama's light smile grew more mischievous.
I just have to pull a few strings is all.
[Which we're very adept at.]
~!**!~
Fourth.
...and that means we need to go...
This way.
Shikiyoku blended the two of them inbetween the layers and started walking again, pulling Hiei after her and dropping them deeper.
"You had an idea." She gave his hand a gentle squeeze at 'you,' her eyes momentarily pleased as she glanced back at him, "And now it's my turn." 3
Hiei's eyes remained on Shikiyoku as she pulled him along and through the layers, a gleam of amusement just barely concealed. He had had the idea of a game. She had taken that idea and turned it into layer traversing in the most amusing of ways. The most exhilarating of ways. And she was coming up with another idea.
Not that he'd argue. It did well to keep her mind wandering away from other matters.
Perhaps his own too.
"Hn."
~!**!~
"Better not spoil me too much. I might start taking advantage of it."
Akari's lips turned into a lopsided grin that disappeared a moment after it had appeared. What strings did he have to pull to keep her from trouble this time around? After all, she had killed one of Yomi's men- not that Takeo was anything special. Still.
I can think about that later. Not now.
Her smile suddenly reappeared and she spoke up again. "You work way too much for me."
And I don't understand why. *
[Having been on the frontlines for the initial breach of the nine layers helped immensely.]
{Mm.}
"I think I would find myself more pleased if you did start taking advantage of it."
[She might stay out of trouble more that way.]
~!**!~
Not that I expect him to do with mine what I did with his, but fair's fair even still.
It took a moment as she moved between the sixth and seventh layers to remember precisely which direction she meant for them to go, because she hadn't been to this place since…
Well, it's been ages, hasn't it?
When she finally unfolded them onto the seventh layer, they were on a staircase, walking down towards a street lined on either side with brightly decorated merchant-houses and stores.
Evening had just fallen and the road was brightly lit, apparitions moving along either side, some going in and out of the shops, others strolling along either in the same direction of or opposite Hiei and Shikiyoku.
None of them seemed to take any particular notice of the two newcomers in their midst, hardly giving them a second glance after the first, if the pair got a first glance to begin with.
The murmur of activity was at a low hum, and everything felt rather calm and unobtrusive. No one appeared to be in a hurry, there was no fighting among citizens or arguments breaking out between merchant and buyer.
There were stands for sitting and eating, or drinking, and there were more than a few demons sitting around in those, their talk never growing louder than the gentle rumble of the atmosphere.
Shikiyoku seemed to take in the sights as if she had seen it all before, and her steps were steady along the path, for she had remembered the way. 3
Hiei's eyes peeled away from Shikiyoku when he landed on the seventh layer. The quiet buzz on the atmosphere was calm and quaint, and the lights in the city seemed to match, if not create, the very warm atmosphere.
It was probably the quietest place he'd been where the streets were lined with merchants and shops. And, surprisingly, it didn't seem a single demon in the area gave a care in the world about him and Shikiyoku, as if they'd always been there and were a part of the background.
He'd never been in such a crowded place and gone unnoticed.
Intriguing.
And too quiet, almost.
He wasn't sure what he thought of it at first, but for the time being, he found the quiet rumble of small talk between demons who couldn't care any less about him was… almost a relief.
It was a good thing he hadn't known of this place when he was younger. It would've been seen as a challenge.
~!**!~
But that means more burdens for you, stupid fox.
Though, there were a few things Akari suddenly thought of that she wouldn't mind getting away with. And when another thought crossed her mind, she was smiling. "Whatever happened to-"
Wait!
….Yomi.
Her lips suddenly pressed together in a thin line.
But I wanna taunt Gabrielle.
but Yomi….
This was going to become more and more difficult.
She let out her air in a long sigh, her lips still keeping a small smile despite her irritation. She couldn't even come up with something else to steer to. It's so stupidly frustrating. *
Kurama shifted around a little before pulling his arms free and moving them between them.
He reached out and took a hold of Akari's wrist with one hand, opening her palm and taking the fore-finger of his other and starting to slowly trace letters onto her skin, watching his work intently.
I. AM. GLAD. YOU. ARE. SAFE.
He pulled the hand up to his lips and planted a kiss where he had been drawing the letters.
~!**!~
As they slowly wove their way forward, Shikiyoku felt her invisibleness keenly as after the first couple of demons around them barely took notice of their entrance it appeared no others seemed to care.
This isn't how I do things.
Of course, given who she was with the last time she came down here, it made things that much more difficult.
Funny. Since the demon she had been with at the time was, in truth, known for his stealth and his calculating persona.
...he also enjoying making a big production about things. But it was always as a distraction for what was really going on.
Looming out of the dark sky before them, a large building with cheery and welcoming lights stood waiting at the end of the lane, a wooden bridge extending out from where the lane stopped and leading over what was likely water to the enormous architecture standing aglow on the other side.
There was a steady flow of demons heading across the bridge, and Shikiyoku knew the place had only just opened its doors.
She took note of a few demons materializing out from between the layers and moving over the wooden beams as well. Perhaps only a handful, but since it was rare when she didn't know a demon capable of the feat, she definitely did a double take each and every time it happened.
When they reached the other end of the bridge, Shikiyoku pulled Hiei off to the right, away from the entering crowd that were slowly being led inside the main doors.
Here there was a much smaller door, though it appeared more elaborately decorated, and Shikiyoku reached out with her free hand to knock smartly on the portal in a particular pattern before taking a step back and waiting. 3
Hiei's eyes continued to roam, flashing briefly from demon to demon, positively certain that someone would make a remark sooner or later. And he found himself sneering when no one seemed to look their way. It didn't take long to guess, though as to how she had achieved something like this, he didn't know.
He didn't ask, either. He decided to let her do what she wanted, whether it be lead him through a crowd unseen or pull him away from it.
He did note the demons dropping onto the layer, eyeing each one he saw in turn, just in case. Not that they'd be able to keep up if something happened. Heh.
Though, it was a curious thought; he hadn't ever met another who could willingly traverse the layers like the people he already knew could. It made him want to find out how people were given such a capability.
And it was this thought that he remained on even as Shikiyoku pulled him to the side to a smaller door. He stared forward at it, several thoughts churning over and over, but his curiosity bringing his gaze to the side, to peer at Shikiyoku.
What is the purpose of this trip?
~!**!~
Akari didn't protest when Kurama grabbed her wrist and pulled it away from the pillow. In fact, she gave a small sigh before she focused on what he was doing, eyes following the motion of his finger against her palm until he pulled her hand to his lips.
The image of the creature she'd seen passed before her mind's eye, and whatever smile she'd had was long gone. She swallowed hard and uncurled herself so that she could slide the rest of the way to him and rest her chin on his shoulder so he couldn't easily see her expression.
She could only imagine the lack in color of her cheeks at the moment, because every vein in her body felt frozen.
It's terrifying. *
Kurama slipped his right arm underneath her and went ahead and pulled Akari closer.
As he swept his other arm over her side, the comforter that he pulled with him rustled softly and the material became a flurry of plantlife, soft and warm. When that arm finally came to rest behind her, the edge of the now-green and leafy blanket clutched in his fingers to keep it around her, he let that hand find her back to hug her tightly and took a deep breath of the flowers that bloomed on the outside of the covers.
~!**!~
It only took a moment before they could hear the sound of someone approaching the door and it slid open, a medium-sized demon of a roundish sort of shape standing in the way and giving the pair before him a disapproving sort of look.
"What do you want?" He tried not to be abrasive, after all it had been the right knock, but he didn't recognize either of these. And he knew everyone that would dare to try the side entrance.
"Meijin." Shikiyoku lifted her chin a little higher. "Is that any way to treat your guests."
Meijin's eyes narrowed, "How do you know my name?"
"The same way I know every name of importance around here." There was no mistaking her haughtiness, her abrupt arrogance. "Because I'm me." She leveled an aloof glare in his direction.
The demon's lips pursed together, and if he had any scathing retort to make, he did not.
Proprietors of the special entrance meant money. Lots of it. And he wasn't about to turn them away.
"Really, Meijin." Shikiyoku said when the demon did not fill the next couple of seconds with words, sounded exasperated. "To think after all these years you could forget."
The demon opened his mouth and started to step back, just about to the point where he was going to pretend that he knew who they were when in truth he hadn't the faintest idea, when Shikiyoku's eyes suddenly gleamed and her expression shifted, catching Meijin's attention.
Edges of his eyes flinching in thought, Meijin paused, his lips parting further.
"Don't you want to let me in, Master?"
The lowered voice, the sensuous eyes-
Meijin blinked and all at once the thought struck him, though there was still that moment of hesitance about his answer.
Shikiyoku said nothing, though she stepped closer to Hiei until their arms brushed one another.
"Seductress!" Meijin exclaimed, his face brightening mightily. This was money indeed. He made no delay this time in stepping back to allow them room to enter, starting to bow with apologies coming out from his mouth. "You must understand that I really had no way of knowing, seductress."
"Of course not." Shikiyoku answered, sounding bored as she moved through the doorway with Hiei in tow.
"You look so different now!" After the second or third bow, Meijin stood up, his own face turning from the apologetic-excitement to a more keen and shrewd glance.
They were not more than a foot or two away from him-the door had slid shut behind them-and Meijin reached out to take Shikiyoku's chin in his hand, turning her face this way and that.
"Yes, much different." He noted as her eyes flashed and she barely repressed a smile. "That jawline I might have recognized."
He let her go and took a step back, still appraising her with a sweeping up and down look.
"And you used to be much taller, no?" He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head back a little as if looking up at where her face used to be in relation to his own.
"So I've been told." Shikiyoku replied dryly.
"Ah, well. It doesn't matter." Meijin gave a slight shake of his shoulders, putting his hands together in front of him and assuming his hosting pose. "No fox today? Or is this from him?"
It was the second time Meijin had so much as looked at Hiei, the first being only long enough to know it hadn't been he who knocked and dismissing him for the time being. And even now he only gave the demon a passing glance, long enough to indicate that he knew Hiei stood there, and was with Shikiyoku, the one his eyes went back to regarding. 3
Hiei glanced down at Shikiyoku as she began speaking, expression unreadable as he regarded her, and then the other demon at the door. He had a feeling this had been something she did before he had come across her, and very likely long before she'd ended up in the human world. The thought was an amusing one, and he found himself curious as to what she wanted to show him, what she wanted him to do. His gaze flickered back to her briefly when she stepped closer, though it didn't linger long.
He didn't trust the one at the door. Not like I have a choice.
He didn't particularly care for the look sent his way; assessing, calculating. The fire demon's expression remained neutral, however.
Even when they stepped by him and the demon grabbed for Shikiyoku. There was no missing the coiling of his muscles, however, though whether to attack or simply disappear, he wasn't sure.
The tension only grew a fraction more at the mention of the fox, who he had come to figure being Youko.
He couldn't say he was all too surprised.
Red eyes remained on the other demon, watchful. He didn't give a reply; he hadn't been directly addressed.
And quite frankly, he didn't care enough to answer.
~!**!~
Akari heard the rustle of the blanket that formed, smelled the flowers that bloomed on it, but for a moment it didn't seem to help her nerves. She took a deep breath through her nostrils, concentrating solely on the scents all around her in hopes that the mental image would go away. Her arms wrapped up and over Kurama's shoulders and brought her as close as she could be.
I'm not going back to that place. Not even if threatens to Yomi kill me.
She could almost feel the energy she had felt then, as if it were as real as the room around her, pressing down on her like the blanket that rested over her in that moment. When she squeezed her eyes closed, she could see the creature again, sitting in a chair that she only just realized he could have been a part of, as if he'd melted into it over time.
So she forced her eyes open, forced herself to stare at the wall behind Kurama. Her stomach did a churn and she almost thought she was going to be sick, but after a few moments the feeling evaporated, leaving her staring ahead blankly and taking measured breaths.
If I refuse, he'll use this against me. This moment.
Akari frowned.
No, he needs Kurama. Yomi wouldn't bring the fox here simply for leverage against me. He has his own agenda for the fox.
Meaning my life will be the one at stake, not his.
...I can deal with that, if it means not going to the tenth. I absolutely refuse.
She took another long breath in, suddenly feeling very, very calm. She turned her head after another moment and planted her lips against Kurama's cheek. A part of her felt sad at her sudden resolve, but in the light of how massive the being was, she found it easier to not consider anything but that resolve. *
[And how exactly are you planning on fulfilling your promise to Yomi?]
Kurama's eyes did not actually narrow, but the feeling was there, and Youko knew it.
{By whatever means necessary.}
Strange how the statement rang so true within Youko's spirit.
[How like me you've become, Red.]
Whatever it takes.
~!**!~
There was this split second of Shikiyoku's eyes coming closed and the barest hint of tension gathering behind those eyes, though the fact that she was fighting against a smile negated any ill-will that the expression might have conveyed.
"No." Her eyes came back open. "And no."
...she had completely forgotten about Youko's playthings. About him smuggling her here on more than one occasion. And on the other times when she was here to work a contact for him.
If Meijin had any thoughts about the knowledge, he kept them well hidden.
"Do I need to draw up the usual contracts? I'm sure I still have them around somewhere." He reached into the sleeve of the large, green kimono he wore, face turning momentarily absent as he appeared to search for something.
"Ah, no." Shikiyoku said, stopping him. "That's quite alright. This is neither business nor pleasure."
Meijin seemed to take the information in stride, pulling the hand out and switching to the other sleeve, "Simply..."
He appeared to wait for her prompting as he pulled out a sheet of parchment and feathered pen from the sleeve and began scratching on it.
Shikiyoku looked as if she thought it over.
"Perhaps relaxation would be the best description." A slight pause. "Something enough to...distract the mind."
"That's what we do best, if you remember." He glanced over the top of the parchment at her as he continued writing.
"Indeed. So you say." She only waited a second before continuing, the brief silence filled with Meijin's furious writing, "Honestly, I can tell you exactly where to place us."
He stopped, eyes raising again.
"The Jade Hall."
Meijin made a clucking sound with his tongue as his eyes lifted to the ceiling while thinking. "If I'm not mistaken, we already have a visitor residing there." He looked back to her. "He should be finishing up," Meijin made it sound like a question, "If that's what you desire?"
"Tch." Shikiyoku acted as if the news meant something to her, "I suppose The Crimson Pools are the same thing."
Meijin gave her a little nod of agreement, going back to writing.
Strange. Shikiyoku's eyebrows lowered slightly. They almost never get any- For an instant her eyes flickered up to Hiei before turning back to Meijin, deciding it didn't matter.
"-just a name."
Shikiyoku didn't catch all of what Meijin said, only the last of it, but she imagined it was some drivel about how the facilities were equal save for the title of the area.
"Would I be correct in adding a visit the Crimson Pool's fire room?" This time when Meijin looked up, it was to Hiei. 3
Hiei listened to the continuous exchange with mild, very mild, interest. His curiosity was a little stronger, but really, if one looked at him they wouldn't know. His expression remained unreadable, his eyes devoid of any thoughts that might be stirring behind them.
Though, he did find himself rather amused at the names of the rooms and such.
He'd been on that thought when the other demon looked up at him, and the fire demon raised a brow as if the question shouldn't have even been asked. Fire room, thus, yes.
~!**!~
Akari's lips stayed against Kurama's cheek for a few seconds before she pulled away and rested her head on his shoulder again, eyes still staring ahead. She slid an arm away from his neck, though, and with her index finger she began to spell out words of her own against his chest under the blanket, slowly tracing out the letters.
I. MISSED. YOU.
She let her hand rest on his chest after another moment, deciding that would be enough of a message. Simple, and to the point.
Because she wasn't about to tell him what she'd seen. She wouldn't even know how. *
As Kurama felt Akari shift around, he only glanced down long enough to feel her beginning to draw out letters against him before he closed his eyes and took note of the shapes.
He took in a deep breath once she finished, feeling it expand underneath her palm.
"And I you." He murmured into her hair as he lowered his face to the top of her head.
~!**!~
Meijin continued writing after the look he got from the crimson-eyed demon, his eyes bouncing from Hiei to the parchment and then over to Shikiyoku where this time it was him raising an eyebrow at her.
"Will it be two?"
If Shikiyoku hadn't slipped into days gone by, recalling how the ways had been with Youko, she probably would have let out a sniggering-snort of a laugh, but she didn't let the urge make it past her throat, able to see in Meijin's eyes the unspoken portion of his question and knowing that he was trying not to send a grin in her direction.
"I don't think so." Shikiyoku didn't even look Hiei's way, but there was that same split-second pause and tension and fight against a smile as when Meijin had asked if Hiei was with her via the kitsune. "Not quite ready for that."
"Not proficient enough?" Meijin commented mildly, though he went back to watching his writing on the paper.
"Never tried it." Shikiyoku found herself responding amiably.
"This would be the best place." His tone took on a little bit of that good-old-salesmen lilt. "It isn't as if we don't have the means to take care of a few burns here and there. I could add in the clause."
"He's never experienced a fire room. I wouldn't want to intrude."
"Ah, first time." Meijin gave a more accepting nod. "I suppose that makes sense." His writing paused and he stared at Shikiyoku, who returned the gaze equally.
The pen started moving again and his eyes lowered.
"You let me know if you decide differently." 3
Hiei fought against the tension that bloomed a little when Shikiyoku refused the offer. His expression returned to that same unreadable stare and he quickly expelled all tension just as quick. In fact, he felt a twinge of amusement at his own reaction, and he decided that he'd just have to go with it. Deal with it.
Trying something new would be quite refreshing, since he hadn't done much of anything as of late.
Hn.
~!**!~
She could lay there forever, and truthfully, Akari really, really wanted to stay right where she was. But with however long she'd been laying in the room, she felt the beginnings of restlessness, which she hadn't felt in months. Hadn't had the chance to feel restless.
She supposed it was because Yomi would eventually send someone for either herself or Kurama, if not both. Part of her really, really didn't want Yomi to send someone after her or Kurama. She hadn't been fond of Takeo fetching her, and she doubted she'd be fond of anyone else coming after them.
But I don't want to move.
She took a deep breath and let it out through barely-parted lips.
….Just a while longer. *
[What do you think Yomi knows about Shikiyoku?]
{I...can't say for sure. You know better than I how well of a secret she was kept from the rest of the bandits.}
[Fair enough.]
{And I doubt Yomi knew her full name, given the one your cousin had floating around.}
[As if he's dumb enough not to connect 'Yoku' with 'Shikiyoku.']
{There's always the possibility he hasn't. But I wouldn't be on it.}
Youko's thoughts turned darker for a moment and Kurama remained quiet.
The fox was not going to let anything happen to her. No matter what Kurama had to tell Yomi.
~!**!~
"Sign?" Meijin lifted his pen from the parchment and Shikiyoku absently waved her hand in his direction, sending a brief puff of her energy at the paper which glowed yellow for a moment before absorbing it and turning yellow itself.
When the reaction had finished, Meijin placed a final flourish at the bottom and the pen and parchment were put away into the opposite sleeve they had been pulled from.
His hands disappeared into the sleeves as he folded his arms in front of him, gave a bow, and said, "If you'll follow me."
Shikiyoku did not reply, only moving forward as the demon turned.
They took a quick right out of the small foyer where they had been standing, which lead away from the noise of the main entrance and deeper into the facility itself, the hallway quiet as their feet made little noise on the wooden floor.
After a few yards, they turned left again and the hall extended way out in front of them, solid walls to their left and the occasional sliding door to their right, most of which were open and led down other dimly lit hallways themselves towards the heart of the building.
Meijin led them on steadily with surefootedness, never glancing left or right, but leading them straight onwards.
As they neared the end of the hall, a demon appeared from the left as if out of nowhere and turned to walk in their direction, paying little attention to anything in particular it seemed, one hand at the white towel hanging over his head and shadowing his face, his fingers rubbing back and forth as if drying his hair, another similar towel wrapped around his waist and leaving his chest bear.
An influx of heat had Meijin briefly glancing in the patron's direction, bowing to the demon as he grew closer.
The demon didn't appear to notice Meijin, but the wetness that had been dripping down his skin disappeared, evaporated, and as he passed them by there was no mistaking the bright blue jewel that hung around his neck, the only adornment on his person. 3
Hiei eyed the parchment that glowed when Shikiyoku's energy touched it, momentarily amused with her method of signing things. His eyes followed the paper as Meijin slid it out of sight, before his calm stare lifted so that he may glance at his surroundings as he and Shikiyoku were gestured to follow.
His eyes roamed the darkened hall, occasionally looking into the open doorways and down those halls as well, merely out of curiosity. It was rather silent save for the very quiet sounds the three in the hall made, which wasn't much more than breathing and the rustling of clothing here and there.
But when Hiei felt an influx of heat ahead, his eyes turned forward, acknowledging the demon that stepped into the hall in nothing more than a couple of towels and-
His eyes locked on the jewel for the barest of seconds before he turned his eyes forward again, mildly amused.
Funny how he'd never met another person from the exact same lineage as he: child of ice maiden and such. Banished.
Forbidden?
The word amused him more so now than it had before.
And then the thought passed and he was glancing around himself again.
~!**!~
As Akari lay there, a thought occurred to her:
She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten. And while she wasn't hungry, really, she decided it would probably do well for her to do just that. Might even help with the soreness and getting her energy moving a little better through her body.
She blinked slowly.
And Yomi won't be kind forever about this.
She shifted, pushing herself into a sitting position, but not really moving any further. Her eyes turned to the door, almost as if she was waiting on someone to barge in. And a second later she turned her eyes to Kurama, flashing a small, reluctant smile.
"Been to the kitchens yet?" They suck. *
Kurama's eyes gleamed with amusement.
"I have." He moved very little, only propping his head up with a hand as he leaned his cheek into a fist, resting the elbow on the bed beneath him. "Hungry?"
~!**!~
The demon's hand came down from the towel after the pulse of heat and he kept walking down the hall, staring straight ahead most likely, his footsteps no longer leaving a wet trail behind him, but the towel shadowed most of his face save for his nose and even though Shikiyoku sent him a momentary glance in the two strides it took for his tall form to pass them, she made out nothing of his features, her eyes only catching sight of the jewel around his neck.
When a few paces were between them, the demon already several yards behind them, there was a second influx of energy exactly the same as the first, but this one was bitterly cold.
Reaching the end of the hallway, Meijin turned to the right, away from the direction the cursed 'child' must have come, and the lights here started to take on a slightly more reddish glow.
Shikiyoku didn't have to look to the left to know the lights in that direction were a green color.
After about a hundred more steps they reached a dead-end and one of Meijin's hands came out of his sleeve to slide the door open.
The room they entered was lined with a strangely marbled red stone, though the texture felt much the same as the wood floor they left behind when they stepped inside. The ceiling above them was only a few feet higher than the hallway. To the right was a wall maybe twenty feet long that looked similar to the walls of the hall, if colored a deep red, but the left side of the room had the same smoothness of the floor under their feet.
Meijin stepped into the middle of the room to face them, gesturing to his right.
"To your left is the room of fire, behind me is the hot spring itself." His hand came back into his sleeve and he bowed to them again. "But you already knew that, seductress."
"We should not have need of anything." Shikiyoku informed him in that same aristocratic manner she had used when they first entered the building.
Another bow and nod, "As you say."
He slipped past them, stepped out into the hallway and slid the door shut behind him, his steps padding off into the distance. 3
Hiei had felt the cold energy, but otherwise completely ignored it as he moved on, not really caring much. He'd followed along just as silently as he'd done since Shikiyoku had taken the lead, his eyes still roaming here and there and occasionally glancing down at the female walking next to him.
He took in the colors along this hall, amused at the method for naming the different areas by the color of their lights. Heh.
When he and Shikiyoku were standing in the room Meijin had lead them to, his eyes continued to roam, looking over every nook and cranny of the space even as the other male took his leave, sliding the door shut behind him.
Hot springs, he noted as his eyes passed over a couple of doors. Fire room, his eyes landed on that door and without any further hesitation, he turned and moved for that door, genuinely curious about this 'fire room'.
When he had the door open and was peering inside, he found himself staring at the colors of the room, half amused, half pleased with the look.
Though, he had no idea what to do.
It looked interesting though.
~!**!~
Not really.
She turned to look at the door again, contemplating the walk. Two flights of stairs, and one long hallway. Not too bad, hm? She pursed her lips a little. Was it worth it?
It would do well in stretching her muscles. Probably help with the soreness too. Or make it worse. She almost groaned at the thought. But you're getting restless.
And yet somehow she found she could almost lay down and attempt sleep again.
….not going to happen.
She slid across the bed and planted her feet on the floor, and before she could talk herself out of it, she moved for the door, not even bothering to find shoes or even pull the towel from her head. Who cares, right?
She paused with the door open and glanced over her shoulder briefly, flashing a small smile.
Gotta eat sometime, right? *
Kurama raised an eyebrow at her as she moved, eyes flicking to the towel over her head as he started to slide out of the bed himself, starting to get up to walk towards her.
"I still think you'd look better with just the towel."
~!**!~
"Luckily for me, it doesn't just turn on when you walk into the room like this." Shikiyoku said with mild amusement when she stopped next to Hiei as he looked around the room. "Otherwise you'd have a very dead demon standing next to you at this point."
He had pulled her in with him, and while she hadn't protested, she had forgotten his hand still held hers.
With Meijin gone, as well as her previous 'mood,' she could feel the trickle of energy at the back of her neck, the one that wasn't sure what to make of the contact with the fire demon. 3
Hiei's eyes turned to Shikiyoku when she spoke up, making him realize she'd come with him. He raised a brow at her, and after a second he realized why she'd come with him. That was twice he'd forgotten he had hold of her hand. She has hold of mine? Both? It didn't matter.
He made a small sound of amusement and slowly let go of her hand.
"Guess that's why they're like this," he commented mildly, still not moving away from where he stood.
~!**!~
Akari had lifted a foot to move, only to pause when Kurama spoke up. She huffed and turned to face him, the towel now in her hand as she crossed her arms over her chest. She still didn't know how to react.
So she tossed the towel at him and turned, moving out the door. "You're a pain." *
Kurama caught the towel as it arced in his direction and swung his arm back to release it and get it to land in a heap on the bed he had just left.
He went ahead and moved for her and the door, stopping just short of her and peering down into her face. "Why else would you keep me around?"
~!**!~
As if I would have come along if it was going to kill me.
"I guess so." She agreed, only looking around the dark walls briefly before turning away and stepping back out into the other room.
She slid one of the paneled doors along the opposite wall open.
There were shallow shelves here, and while she ignored most of what the shelves contained, she did reach for a towel that was marbled and colored in the very same way as the rest of the room.
About half the towels looked this way, the other half the pure white the demon they passed in the hall had been using.
"You're gonna need this." She called, tossing the towel over her shoulder in the direction of the still-open door of the fire room and grabbing a white one for herself. 3
Hiei's eyes followed Shikiyoku as she turned away, his feet moving so that he stood at the threshold of the room he'd been inspecting a minute ago. He raised an eyebrow at the shelves she revealed, glancing over the various things that had been concealed before now.
As the towel moved through the air, the fire demon lazily grabbed it from the air and looked it over, half intrigued with the way the coloring of this towel matched that of the rooms around them.
He lifted his eyes to her again, a raised brow as if to ask 'what for'.
He was pretty sure they'd had a conversation about his distaste for water before now. And if it was fire he was about to deal with, his entire outfit was made for such circumstances.
~!**!~
She ran a hand through the still-damp locks as she looked up at Kurama-
Have I shrunk, or did you grow an inch?
Maybe it's just been a while and she's forgotten? Sounded probable.
She opened her mouth to respond, but the words didn't make it to her tongue before she thought better of it and shrugged at him. "Heck if I know." She moved around him and out into the hallway, ignoring any demons that glanced in her direction.
And also ignoring the protests her muscles tried to make, instead lengthening her stride and stretching her arms over her head. *
Kurama would have let out a chuckle, but as he reached for the grey coat of his uniform laying on a chair near the doorway, he stepped up behind her and slipped it over his shoulders, settling into her stride a little behind and to the left of her, his eyes were already scanning the immediate area after he closed the door.
~!**!~
Shikiyoku caught his look as she turned around, the white towel resting over her arm.
She gave a little shrug, "Perhaps need is a strong word. You'll decide that for yourself. It is fireproof, though."
Flicking her eyes behind him to indicate the room, she spoke again, "It'll turn on when you've got the door closed behind you, as long as you haven't any clothes on." She glanced at the towel he held as she started to move for the other set of doors Meijin had indicated. "Though you can wear that if want."
She gestured absently at the floor before reaching to slide one side of the doors in front of her open just wide enough to step beyond it. A giant wave of hot, thick steam rolled out the opening she made in the doorway, obscuring her from vision as she stepped through. "No one'll disturb us, so you can leave your outfit anywhere in the room." Her voice raised a little bit as she slipped the door closed behind her, "I'll be out here if you have need of me." A pause, then an off-handed addition, "Though you're welcome to join me if you want, I guess. Your call." 3
Hiei's brow settled into place again as Shikiyoku spoke up, and even before she was done talking, he had a hand pulling at the scarf around his neck. When the door was shut behind Shikiyoku, the fire demon turned his back to it and moved into the fire room, his hand carefully folding up the material simply because he hated wrinkles in his clothing.
He paused at Shikiyoku's last comment, cloak in hand as he glanced back at the door she'd gone through, and his lips twitched. Into a frown or a sneer of amusement, he wasn't sure, though he definitely considered voicing his general dislike for water.
Not that she didn't already know.
After a few moments, his cloak, scarf, and such were all folded neatly in a pile and he had the towel wrapped around his waist, a hand slowly pulling the door shut behind him.
Once it gave a small click, his ears twitched at the subtle beginnings of a whirring sound, which momentarily had him standing in place. By the time he recognized the sound to be that of flames and the temperature in the room had risen, he was seated calmly in the corner, eyes looking about the room.
The very instant flames erupted around him, roaring loudly in his ears and swirling in an uncontrollable fashion, his eyes widened and he found himself amused. Because for some reason, he hadn't exactly expected this.
It didn't take long for him to relax in the very loud, very hot inferno that blazed around him.
~!**!~
Akari took a deep breath through her nostrils and let her arms fall to her sides, the motion jolting the sore tendons at her shoulders and her back. She walked a few yards with her eyes roving the halls, taking in each passing demon in turn. And after a few more strides that lead her to the first flight of stairs, she found herself humming the tune she'd dreamed about.
Why, she didn't know.
She took each step one at a time, making sure each foot was properly placed before going to the next step, her eyes carefully on her feet.
What were the words to that song again?
She hummed a little quieter now as she looked up from her feet, noticing how quiet the area was aside from a single demon coming from the bottom, his head down for a moment.
I don't remember.
the other demon glanced up, and Akari went quiet, a frown forming on her features. She blinked twice, and Takeo was gone. No other demon was on the stairwell, aside from the person behind her.
Where was she going again? She paused very briefly before her feet continued moving again. Right, kitchen. Food. *
Youko was entertaining the idea of how Kurama would be forced to bring Shikiyoku in, effectively enacting the original plan Youko had, which was to take her with him anyway.
Neither he nor Kurama knew what exactly Yomi would plan for her if, or rather when, the demon discovered that Kurama had previously had associations with her, or rather 'Toriko.' And they had even less guesses as to Yomi's reaction should he connect together the persons of 'Toriko' to 'Shikiyoku' and then with 'Yoku' or 'Seductress.'
[And here I was thinking we would be entirely too bored stuck with Yomi.]
Kurama meant to give a reply, but paused absently behind Akari when she stopped and blinked, moving with her as she continued.
Gotta get the room covered. I need to know exactly what happened in there.
~!**!~
As soon as Shikiyoku stepped out onto the marbled-red floor out here, she took in a deep breath.
The air was mixed with the scents of open air as well as the heaviness of the steam that rolled off of the hot spring about fifty steps in front of her.
For a few moments, her eyes watched the flames that danced along the top of the water and occasionally licked at the dark rocks that lined the pool, the steam mixed in along the surface of the relatively still spring thinning and thickening at various intervals as it filled the private, fenced-off area.
Somewhere off to the left she could hear the water that was being pumped into the spring, noting the ripples coming from that direction and moving outwards in gentle waves across the rest of the water.
She turned and slipped off her clothing as well as removed the band that held her hair up in a ponytail, placing all of it on a bench-like shelf that extended out from the wall next to her with the towel on top, after that stepping alongside the bench towards a short stool with spigots and knobs in front of her, stuck in a section of the wall that bent out from the wall with the bench next to her.
She sat and washed the water over her, using the extending shower-head to get it along her back.
The water was extremely warm, hot after the first few moments, and she knew she would need the help to better acclimate to the shallow pool waiting to her left.
It also got rid of any grime she accumulated during the run her and Hiei took earlier.
Once finished, she stepped away, grabbing for the towel she left, hair plastered down against her back all the way to her waist, and lowered herself into the hot spring, leaving the towel near the edge of the pool.
The flames were real, but had been enchanted to not cause injury, so the whole area hummed with that spell, as well as one that placed the thing in a bubble of privacy. Soundproof. It was peaceful once you got used to the heaviness of the air from the heat.
Shikiyoku half-swam, half-pushed herself through the water to the far side of the rocks before turning and slipping down until she sat against the bottom of the pool, the water coming up to her neck. The doors she had come through were visible through the fog, if only barely because of the thickness. The pool was only fifty feet long afterall.
She released this long sigh of contentment as the hot water penetrated and relaxed her muscles, letting her head rest back against the rocks and closing her eyes, her hair floating around her shoulders. 3
Hiei's eyelids slid closed and he leaned back a little more, allowing his bare back to come into contact with the now hot wall. Not that it mattered to him; it merely served as another way for his muscles to release any tension that had built up over the past few days, possibly weeks. He listened to the roaring flames, and even without the Jagan or opening his eyes, he could see the motions of the fire, could feel where the flames were going to go next.
He could feel the current on which the flames swirled, and he could taste the heat as he pulled in a breath through his lips. If it were possible, he relaxed more as his legs stretched out in front of him, heels resting on the smooth flooring, and he loosely crossed his arms over his chest.
Best. Decision.
He took another slow breath in, and after a few moments, the only thing on his mind was the motions of the fire around him that seemed to lull him into a half-asleep state.
~!**!~
Akari moved across the hall and around a corner, then down one more flight of stairs in utter silence. She couldn't even remember the tune she'd been humming, but she wished she could. It would have been useful in keeping her mind from wandering.
She took a sharp left and pushed through a pair of swinging doors, eyes looking around the empty room and helping her make a better guess at the time of day.
No cooks, meaning not near lunch or dinner. Likely in between.
She glanced around at the large, fully-equipped kitchen and was momentarily reminded of a restaurant. Her eyes landed on the oversized fridge and she made no hesitation in moving for it, a hand pulling the door open so that she may peer inside with a curious gaze.
Nothing looked… good.
I'm not hungry, which is why none of it looks sufficient.
She pursed her lips at the many, many things to choose from. She could even cook if she wanted to, for crying out loud! Just pick something. *
It was...overly tempting to fix the lock of the doors behind them so that no one else could enter.
Would likely end up being more trouble than it was worth.
Kurama only stepped forward into the room far enough that he would not get hit should someone else enter unexpectedly, turning with his back to one of the walls and watching Akari move around with amusement.
Of course he could offer to cook her something, but the look on her face was just too amusing to pass up.
~!**!~
The hot water drained away Shikiyoku's thoughts, leaving her with a warm blanket of nothing for a while that reminded her strangely of what it felt like when Hiei spoke to her telepathically.
After sitting for a while, breathing deep and slow as she smoothly drifted between waking and sleeping, the smells of the hot spring snuck into the edges of her awareness.
Wet. Of the water. Heavy and thick. Of the steamy fog. The enchantment had not removed the smell of the fire, and that too was separated from the others and noted. The rocks behind her head. The damp, marbled floor. The outside air, distant now what with how much the fog hung over the water.
Unfettered by the low, almost autopilot-like setting of her mind, she wandered through images and remembrances almost as if she dreamed. 3
Somewhere in the recesses of his mind, Hiei was fully aware that he had indeed drifted off into sleep, the fire around him making it virtually impossible not to. He didn't dream. At least, if he did, he wasn't aware of it. In fact, the only thing he was aware of was the flames licking at his skin.
Here and there, he did wake up enough to look around the room, but never did he fully wake.
And after a while, he didn't even wake up for such a simple task as checking his surroundings.
~!**!~
A small sound was made in the back of Akari's throat as she continued to find more and more things in the fridge, and that was without moving anything around. She huffed a little and reached inside, grabbing the first thing she saw and standing upright, letting the door swing shut on its own as she turned and moved further from Kurama and the doors they'd entered, pulling a very specific drawer open and finding a knife.
She placed the orange on the counter and deftly sliced through the center of the orange, cutting it in half before she continued cutting it into smaller portions, suddenly finding herself humming all over again, merely out of habit.
It made her miss Nabu, who would have been sitting at her feet, waiting for her to toss him something. She smiled at the orange after a moment of inspecting the slices, then set the knife down and turned around, leaning back against the counter and peeling a small portion away from the skin of the fruit.
By the time she had the slice in her mouth, she was watching Kurama with a passive stare. *
Kurama's eyebrows lifted for a moment when she looked at him, lowering back to neutral as he gazed back at her.
"See something of interest, beautiful?"
~!**!~
Screams. Blood. Hatred.
She felt almost as if an impassive observer of the event. The ritual that went wrong.
Her first champion dying next to her.
The memories did not seem to affect her, viewing them from above, as if an outsider.
Kitoushi. At the last forced to kill one of the first she had used her power on because the demon pursued her relentlessly and almost to the point of taking her life.
...and then watching him forced to kill all the others, save one who was too mighty even for them.
The cat falling to the ground, supposedly dead behind her, just at the instant that the shot which had been fired spiraled off from him and hit her as well, the effect lessened but still near-fatal.
And then Youko. Without hesitation murdering every single one of those he had her glean information from, he too appearing to have died when Spirit World finally came for them.
So much death...
The thought was sad, if somewhere in the back of her mind the emotion was even allowed. Sad from the third person. Sad as though none of it had happened to her.
The fire demon. Even he had felled a few in her name. To save her.
The memories continued moving forward in time, and even if she had wanted to stop them, she did not think it was possible.
The energy-stealer.
Her own first kill.
The nameless, the faceless. All falling beneath her as she stole their very lives from them to feed her own.
...
First there were eight.
She had Otento's scar.
Taka was killed saving you.
Then she ripped through her first champion, killing him again.
Then there were four.
The image of hundreds, maybe thousands of lur'mog ripping through the young demon's flesh, leaving Douji's once bright eyes dull and lifeless.
Three are left.
They needed to get out. Before they too went the way of all the others.
Douji died by the disease, killed by lur'mog for having it. But he would have lost his mind and killed many himself.
The image of Kitoushi materialized behind her closed eyes.
He has it too.
His heterochromatic gaze, turned in her direction, darkened, his features sharpening as he lunged forward, changing into cat-form in mid-leap.
Perhaps the others do already.
He was running towards her, all four paws moving as if in slow motion in her mind, and no matter what she said to him, nothing stirred in his hungry glare.
They'll all end up like this.
She pleaded with him to stop, to change back, to let her take away the mark, to turn back time. ...anything.
You know what you'll have to do. To save yourself.
At her real body, the one sitting in the pool, her eyes clenched though they were still closed, her face darkening as her eyebrows frowned over them.
Kitoushi had reached her, had taken the final jump at her and even as she reached out with a hand as if to push him back, to stop him, her skin burned and ached, awash with scars and unclean-yellow power...but she could not do it and in the image her eyes shut as his teeth closed around her throat, her hand coming in contact with his black, furry chest and the vision faded.
But what if I don't want to save myself?
The heat of the water around her was nothing compared to the burning of her skin under the threat of Kitoushi's attack, and as he leaped for her in the strange semi-dreamy vision, the burning spread all along her, leaving in its wake sickly, ashen-colored skin and a myriad of scars, the deepest one, the newest one, a wicked, heart-shaped outline, half of which passed through the middle of her lips, a few swirls extending all around it in every direction up and across her face and down the underside of her jaw.
Her energy spread outward as if it too were a part of the haze and fog in the air, and her core faltered as the disease set in once more.
Shikiyoku's eyes came open for a moment, black and colorless, but she did not move for the energy she could feel in the other room, the countless life forces even beyond that in the building to her front, and her eyes slowly closed again.
The water felt...nice. 3
Thanks for reading! Bless your face. If you sneezed during this chapter, bless you. Peace off! BOOP! -Star