Vannen: Hauls battered, bruised, and bleeding form up to the keyboard. Some help my readers are...
Hiei: Quit whining!
Vannen: Yes, oh mighty one! Bows mockingly Thanks for all the reviews. I'm sorry I've taken so long. It's been nuts around here. I don't think I've gotten much more than a total of 25 hours of sleep for the past 6 days. This coming from the girl that gets an average of 10 hours a night, so yeah, if this isn't very comprehensive, I offer my apologies. I just got yelled at for taking so long, so I'm trying to make up for it.
Hiei: Grumbling Knew I should have cut those blasted typing fingers off...
Vannen: Sneezes Sorry, caught a cold too. I'll let you all get to the story before you catch my cold. Enjoy! Here we go!
Part 8
Surprises, Christmas, Surprises, Jagans, and Surprises
"Students, we have a surprise this year!" Dumbledore announced as he stood up at breakfast the day that the vast majority of the school's population was to go home for Christmas. "We will be having a Valentine's Ball. If you have not gotten your dress robes yet, please do so. That is all. Enjoy your break."
Excited chatter met his words as the student body speculated on the matter.
"What in the Makai is that?" Hiei growled to Kurama.
"A ball?" The fire demon nodded. "It's a dance. This is where we'll use those dress robes that we bought before the beginning of the year."
"Oh, joy," it wasn't hard to hear the sarcasm in Genkai's voice.
"I think it will be fun," Keiko commented.
"You would," Yusuke muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Keiko demanded, her temper flaring.
Yusuke panicked for a moment, "Uh- um- it-it will be lots of fun." He smiled falsely with an equally false grin, hoping his lie would work.
It did, kind of. "That's what I thought."
Laughter greeted her words as the Tentai went back to discussing what they were going to do over the holiday.
"What time is it?" Koenma inquired as he stretched. Botan sat on the foot of his bed, bouncing up and down in her usual bubbly manner.
"Who cares?" She exclaimed, "It's Christmas!" With that, she literally jumped out of his room. Koenma followed at a slightly slower pace.
The entire Tentai had opted to stay at Hogwarts, although it had taken much persuasion by Keiko to get Yusuke to stay. Now, the group was gathered in the Ravenclaw common room, along with Jin and Touya and two other Gryffindors. Harry and Ron smiled at Koenma as the small ruler descended the stairs while Botan slid down the banister.
"Well, now that we're all here, let's begin opening presents, shall we?" Botan was almost bursting with excitement.
"Wait." Everyone turned to Yukina, "Where is Hiei and Raven?"
"Right here," Hiei said as he walked out of Raven's room, supporting her on one side. The girl still had bandages around her eyes and still seemed too weak to walk on her own.
"Merry Christmas all," Raven said weakly as Hiei helped her down the stairs. She sighed when she was finally sitting.
"Okay, now, to presents!" Botan was not one to be depressed at anytime, no matter what the circumstances, it seemed. "Who wants to go first?" She looked around expectantly for an answer. When no one volunteered, she looked at Raven, "How about it, Raven? Why don't you choose one?"
"Well... I don't know..."
"Go ahead, Raven," Kurama gently prodded. "Take off your bandages, and I'll give you one from me."
The girl reluctantly did as she was told and blinked heavily and immediately placed a hand back over them. "Too bright, it hurts." She whined as she cringed and turned to bury her face into a pillow that was next to her. It truly wasn't that bright, but for her, it felt like she was staring into the sun. All she could see was that brilliance.
"Merry Christmas, Raven," Kurama smiled. Taking her hands away from her eyes, he turned her head and slid a pair of sunglasses over them. They brought down the tone of light to the point that she saw everything as everyone else did.
She gasped, speechless as she gaped at the blue and bronze surroundings. "Ten years," she whispered after a moment, starring around. Finally, her eyes rested on the others. She was able to figure out who Touya was, form her previous time with him before she lost her sight, and who Hiei and Kurama were from the time she'd spent around them and smiled at the two gratefully. She then noticed the confused looks on Jin's, Touya's, Yusuke's, Keiko's, Yukina's, Botan's, Harry's, and Ron's faces. How do I explain this? she asked herself as she looked at the group. And which one's which? Boy, I'm in trouble if I don't figure it out.
Kurama saved her, "I'm glad that it worked so well." His smile was kind as he sent a conspiratorial wink her way. She returned it with a smile before realizing he couldn't see her eyes. "I heard that the sight restoration spell always leaves the receiver extremely sensitive to light."
"She was blind?" More than one person asked. Raven was barely able to match voice with face at that moment. Hiei and Kurama nodded as she laughed.
"I was better at hiding it than I thought." The present exchange continued as Raven reveled in her re-established sense.
As they neared the end of the pile, everyone noticed that each of them had a gift with only their names on it, including Harry and Ron. Curiosity flashed in all their minds as they glanced at each other. The same question was on their mind. It just took Harry to voice it, "Who do you suppose they're from?"
"Only one way to find out!" Yusuke said confidently as he reached for the one with his name on it. He ripped open the colorful paper to show a plain box with kanji scrawled across it. He read, "Thought this might be useful." After a glance at Genkai, he opened the box. Inside was a pair of black and green fighter's gloves, cut off at the first knuckles, and padded well. Once Yusuke tried them on, he noticed they were a perfect fit. "Where's Kuwabaka?" He inquired, "I want to try these out."
"My turn," Botan proclaimed as she reached for hers. It was a rather long box. Again, it had "Thought this might be useful" written across the top. It contained a beautifully crafted oar of mahogany, inlaid with stars and moons; better than the one she had been riding for years as the Grim Reaper and a necklace made of silver with a pentagram on it with the words "protect and conceal," engraved in it.
The rest of the group opened theirs in turn; each had the same thing inscribed on the box. Hiei received a top-of-the-line katana, sharper than the one he already owned, he immediately started examining it as he ignored everyone else, testing it with his power. Yukina; a set of rare plants for healing along with the same necklace as Botan, Keiko and Koenma each got the necklace as well only they were made with bronze for Keiko and gold for Koenma, Genkai received a pair of gloves similar to Yusuke's only they were black and red and a few sizes smaller. Touya found a pair of daggers of the best materials that could hold up to the extreme temperatures that he gave off without becoming brittle. Jin obtained a longbow of rowan and quiver of oak arrows fletched with griffin feathers for greater accuracy. Kurama gaped at a full box of seeds of Makai plants, many of which had very few in existence. Raven opened her box and pulled out a new set of dirks, in plain leather sheathes. Upon pulling the blade out, they proved to be of the best steal like Hiei's katana. The hilts were bound in black leather with a sapphire in the pommels. Each of the Tentai gaped at their gifts.
"Who in Makai?" Yusuke murmured absently.
"What about yours?" Botan asked looking at Harry and Ron.
The two opened their packages. Harry's had a different letter and was written in English. "Your father left this with me before he died. It's time it was returned to you. Use it well." Confused he continued to unwrap the package. Inside was a cloak that seemed rather plain.
"Well, try it on," Ron encouraged. The boy did as he was told. Ron, Botan, Keiko, Yusuke, and Koenma gasped. "I've heard of those," Ron whispered. "It's an invisibility cloak. They're supposed to be really rare."
"My body's gone!" Harry exclaimed as he turned around a few times as if he were a dog chasing his tail.
"Thus the name 'Invisibility cloak'," Kurama said sensibly, only a little smug.
"What about yours, Ron?" Botan asked.
The red head shrugged and finished unpacking the box. Inside was another one of the necklaces also made of silver along with the note "You will need this with the friends you have made. Do not loose it."
"Loose it!" Ron said indignantly. "How could I loose something made of silver?"
"That's not the point," Harry murmured. "What does it mean, 'The friends you have made'?"
The Rekai Tentai glanced at each other nervously. How could they explain sensibly without blowing their cover?
They were saved by Yusuke's growling stomach. "I think it's breakfast time," he murmured as he gathered up his gifts. "Thanks all, see you later." The other Gryffindors, Touya, and Jin left as well. Those remaining gathered up their things and placed them in their rooms, Raven requiring a little help from Botan.
That night, Raven was awakened by an extremely faint scream, coming from the library, only a few halls away. As she stepped out of her room, she was confronted by Hiei. He seemed to have been woken by the yell as well.
"What is it?" Raven asked quietly as she followed him down the stairs.
"You figure it out," Hiei retorted. "You're the one with a Jagan."
"I-what?" She gave him a questioning look.
"When Kurama and I restored your sight, I also gave you a Jagan Eye. You were already going through more pain than is caused by getting one so it wouldn't hurt you any worse. Besides, it'll come in handy at times."
"You spoke more than you ever have at once." Raven tried her best not to laugh. When Hiei turned to glare at her, she put a hand in front of her mouth to hide her spreading smile.
"Hn," was all the fire demon said.
"How am I supposed to use it?" Raven whispered as they exited the common room and started the short walk down the halls.
"That's for you to find out, now shut up." Hiei hissed. Mister Filch, the caretaker was hustling past. The two "students" flattened themselves against the wall to avoid being seen. After the man had passed, they followed stealthily. The cat in his hands lept to the floor and ran with a yowl of fear.
Must have caught our scent, Raven pondered.
Guard your thoughts, Hiei warned. With that Jagan, you're going to be able to speak to anyone with your mind.
You have a Jagan, don't you? Raven asked as she focused on Hiei and Hiei only. She could feel the area her thoughts were being projected to shrink. Hiei didn't respond. They followed Filch as he turned into the library. The yelling was extremely muffled but could still be heard. The caretaker started to call for someone to show themselves as he slowly walked between the aisles. Hiei and Raven ducked behind a set of shelves.
Someone's going the other way, Raven told Hiei. I can hear them.
Potter, Hiei commented. He's using that blasted Invisibility Cloak of his.
Follow him? Raven asked.
Hiei didn't respond, just started sneaking around the far edge of the shelves after the boy. As they entered the halls, they wandered aimlessly. Harry was fleeing in fear, it seemed, and had no idea where he was going. After a while, Harry stopped in front of a suit of armor, breathing heavily.
"You asked me to come directly to you, Professor, if anyone was wandering around at night, and somebody's been in the library- Restricted Section."
Raven and Hiei dropped into the shadows when they heard the voice. Filch must have known a shortcut to get to the point they were. They heard Snape reply, "The Restricted Section? Well, they can't be far, we'll catch them."
Hiei caught Raven's sleeve and pulled her to the side of the narrow corridor. Even if they were hidden in shadows, Snape or Filch would bump into one of them at least. A door stood slightly ajar off to the side and, as they snuck towards it, they saw it open ever so slightly. They followed their invisible target. Raven heaved a slight sigh of relief at their narrow escape, barely noting that Harry did the same as well.
What's that? Hiei's voice sounded in her mind once again. She took a moment to narrow her perception on him. 'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi.' Raven looked puzzled towards the demon and then at what he was looking at. It was a large mirror with the same inscription on it as Hiei had just recited.
The sound of a slap was heard. Raven strained her eyes to see what was going on. Hiei stood next to her with the same emotionless expression. Use your Jagan to see him, baka. It'll see through that cloak.
Doing as she was told, Raven concentrated on seeing through her new eye. After a moment of trying, she was able to make out the boys form standing transfixed to the mirror. How do I read his mind or see through his eyes? she asked Hiei.
That's too advanced. You'll only hurt yourself.
I bet I can do it. Raven grumbled.
You can barely stand, Hiei retorted.
That's what you think. I'm perfectly fine. Raven took a step forward away from the wall they were leaning on. Her knees gave out from under her and she felt herself being held up by the collar of her shirt. Hiei spun her around with a smirk on his features.
Perfectly fine? I think not, he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Potter will be fine. I've placed wards on him. Hiei turned and walked off with the silently protesting youkai fighting him the entire way. When they returned to the Ravenclaw dorm, he threw her into her room and left wordlessly, ignoring her exclamations of indignation.
New Years Eve came with much anticipation. Dumbledore had promised a party and a feast. Part of the Tentai was slightly confused. The demons had little or no knowledge of the event and had no idea what the occasion meant. Keiko, Yusuke, Kurama, and Raven tried to explain it more than once but failed miserably. Hiei didn't see the point, Koenma had seen how humans celebrated it more than once and detested it, Jin couldn't grasp the concept, Touya wasn't paying too much attention as it had just snowed and he was itching to go outside and have some fun, and Botan couldn't stay still long enough to bother to listen. In the end, the four instructors just gave up and told them they'd have to wait and see why it was so important.
In the mean time, the group decided to take Touya's advice and went outside to have a snowball fight that day. They were soon joined by Harry, Ron, and Ron's brothers, Fred and George.
"Die!" Yusuke ordered with a dark laugh as he pelted Koenma in the side of the head with a projectile.
"Why don't you?" Botan retorted as she popped up behind a snowdrift and chucked a missile at him, hitting him squarely in the chest.
Laughter rang out as Keiko hit Botan with a fistful of snow in the side and Yukina tossed one at Harry, gently hitting the boy in the back. Fred and George had tackled Yusuke by this time and were trying to hold him down and bury him at the same time. Needless to say, it didn't work to well as the Spirit Detective wriggled free only to be met by a shot that Genkai had hurled at his head, hitting him squarely on the nose. Hiei had tried his best to remain out of it, but when Jin and Ron each nailed him at the same time, he lept to his feet and joined in with gusto, pelting them and Touya who had gotten in the way.
"Why aren't you playing?" Raven asked Kurama as she sat down next to him on the steps to the front doors of the school with a sigh. She had been running from Keiko and had finally escaped her when she turned on Yusuke after he had hit her in the butt.
Kurama glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, "I'm having fun just watching," he replied as he watched Touya being pelted by Jin. Raven chuckled and watched as Keiko tripped Yusuke, sending the Spirit Detective sprawling. Something hit both of them in the back of the head. Fred and George stood behind them with all too innocent looks on their faces. Kurama and Raven shared a glance, picked up some snow, and hurled it at the two, making two direct hits.
"Nice shot," Raven smiled and stood up, looking for her next target.
"I was just going to say the same to you." Kurama chased after the twins, stooping occasionally to gather more ammunition.
"What have we told you about turning your back on the enemy?" A nearby voice asked as Raven felt another cold bullet hit her in the back of the head.
Raven didn't respond, just walked calmly down the steps, bent as if to adjust one of her fur-lined boots, and watched Hiei out of the corner of his eye. As he approached, she waited. When he was in range, she swung out a foot, sweeping his out from under him, and onto his back. She instantly took the snow she had gathered while "adjusting her boot" and smeared it across the surprised fire demon's face. Laughing, she jumped to her feet and raced through the courtyard, scooping snow from statues and benches to hurl over her shoulder at the enraged Koorime.
The time after lunch found Raven, Kurama, Jin, and Touya out on the lake, ice-skating in the crisp air. Gliding along calmly, Raven turned around and watched Touya struggling to teach Jin. When the Wind Master fell for the umpteenth time, she couldn't help but laugh. Touya tumbled to the ice as well when he was trying to help Jin to his feet.
"I remember going through that," Kurama chuckled. "Now I know why it was so funny for the others."
"You're telling me-eee!" Raven screamed as she seemingly slipped and she fell to her back. She didn't hit the ice however and was lifted bodily into the air by a large tentacle. "A little help?" she cried as she was swung around. Her dirks were on the bank of the lake with her belt along with her wand.
Kurama regained his composure and pulled his rose out of his hair, yelling for Touya and Jin's help. "Rose whip!" he cried and raced towards the enormous tentacle, trying his best not to slip on the ice. As he neared it, it retreated, pulling Raven closer and closer to the hole of the frozen lake. Cursing vehemently under his breath, he pushed harder on his skates.
"That's not working!" Raven called. "Get my dirks!"
"No." Kurama turned to look at the speaker. Hiei stood in front of Touya and Jin. "Let her get herself out of this. She needs to learn."
"Explain to me how being swung around by a giant squid is a learning experience." Raven yelled as she twisted to glare at Hiei.
"You want your dirks, get them yourself."
"I'll kill you for this."
"Just as long as you learn."
Raven glared at the fire demon for a moment longer. "He is so dead when I get down," she thought vehemently as she was flipped upside down. An extra weight on her feet caught her attention as they flipped over. "The skates!" she realized and started to kick her feet in all directions, hoping to connect with what ever was holding her. The blades dug into something and she felt the grip loosen as blood dripped onto her head. A few quick twists got her to land on her blades but not without a jarring impact.
"You're down, now what are you going to do?" Hiei seemed to be testing her, his face as expressionless as always.
"Strangle you?" Raven suggested innocently and pushed backwards, heading towards the bank and her dirks while keeping her eyes on the tentacle that was chasing after her. Her foot caught on the snow and she flipped backwards, barely gaining her footing. Instead of diving for her dirks like she had first intended, she reached for her wand.
"Immobulous!" She cried, aiming her wand at the object that seemed bent on her destruction. It stopped moving and she sighed in relief.
"That spell will wear off soon," Hiei was really getting on her nerves.
"Yeah, I know," she grumbled and started concentrating on her foe. Her Jagan started glowing behind the black bandana she had taken to wearing and the tentacle started to sink back down into the lake. As soon as it receded under the surface, Raven started freezing the water to create a layer of ice so thick, that creature wouldn't be able to break through.
"Sloppy," Hiei commented. "Anyone with any sense could have felt you doing that."
"Shut up before I hurt you," Raven growled and whipped the blood off her skates. "I'm going inside. See you at dinner." She smiled at Jin, Touya, and Kurama before she left, ignoring Hiei completely.
Vannen: Well, hope you liked it.
Kurama: You need to go to bed.
Vannen: But I have English homework...
Kurama: Finish it, then go to bed so you can get over this cold before Iget sick!
Vannen: Curses, I was hoping he'd offer to do it for me...
Kurama: Nice try, Vannen, but you'll have to be craftier than that to trick me. Homework, now.
Vannen: Meakly Yes sir...
Kurama: Please review. I'll make sure Vannen gets them while she's sick. Thank you!
Vannen: Thanks Kurama. Later all!
