Vannen: Well, that was quite the break. I'm sorry for taking so long! Seniors don't have it any easier than underclassmen. We might even have it harder, I'm not sure. But, now school's been out, I've had time to calm down and work, and now I'm back to working on this.
Hiei: Shut her up already.
Vannen: Thank you Mr. Cheerful. Anyway, I'm healthy (for once) so this should be at least partly coherent. Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers and their patience. I wasn't yelled at this time. I'm off to college in a few months so things should continue to go well because I'll finally be away from my slave driving family.
Youko: Want me to take care of them?
Vannen: GAH! Youko! When did you get out?
Youko: It's a lie, I didn't blackmail Shuuichi! Oh. Heheh… Ignore that comment. About three hours ago. You have quite the nice place, you know that?
Vannen: You've already cased my place? Great…. Good thing everything belongs to my parents. I'm just a poor, soon-to-be college student. I have to money.
Youko: Doesn't help you any though.
Vannen: Let's just get this started so I can keep you from stealing all my stuff.
Hiei: Hn.
Vannen: Let me translate for all the Hiei-speak impaired, and I quote "Vannen owns nothing but Raven. Don't bother suing as she is indeed very poor" unquote. Have fun all! Here we go!
Part 9
Explanations, Sickle Moon, More Explanations, and Demons
The end of the holidays had rolled around and the school was crowded once again with the return of the student body. Raven, Kurama, and Hiei had returned to having their morning training sessions and were occasionally joined by Jin, Touya, Genkai, and Yusuke. Raven regained more and more of her strength everyday and trained with Hiei in the evenings, learning the uses or her Jagan Eye.
One night in the middle of January, Kurama found Raven sitting in the library reading a book. He had a few questions he wanted answered. The girl acknowledged his presence by lifting a finger, telling him to wait a moment, when he sat down next to her. No one else was around. When she finally shut her book, she turned her pupiless eyes on him. "You want to know what you're guarding me from, and why," she commented as she placed a familiar black ribbon in the book.
Kurama blinked in surprise. "Well, yes. I would like to know that." She must have been using her Jagan to read his mind. That little cuss. What did she think she was doing inside his head?
"It's simple, really." She told him. "The man that adopted me was a supposed supporter of the dark wizard Voldemort. Yes, I do have the guts to say his name. He is only human, after all." She looked off into space. "Da wasn't though, despite popular belief. He didn't hurt anyone unless he had no other choice. Voldemort thought Da was working for him as a spy. In truth, he was a double turncoat. He was a spy that answered to Dumbledore and Dumbledore alone for the side that was crudely called "good." He was probably the only unknown spy for the Order of the Phoenix. The ministry believes I know something about Voldemort, which isn't very shocking. I know he's alive and that's about it but they won't believe me.
"Idiots," she spat in anger, "they want to make sure that none of His supporters find me and torture the information out of me. Stupid humans, as if they could." A dark glare crossed her features before she smoothed them back to expressionless.
"Who are Voldemort's supporters?"
"Every dark witch or wizard in the UK. Draco Malfoy's dad, the fathers of his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, and a lot more."
"Why are we guarding you from humans?" Hiei had joined them at some point. He sat down across from the two.
"Because Dumbledore thinks that I am only human. The only ones that know I'm not are you two, Jin, Touya, Yusuke, Botan, Genkai, Koenma, Yukina, and Keiko. I haven't even told Da who and what I truly am."
Kurama pondered over the matter for a moment, and then remembered something. "Why are demons after you? That Chover wasn't sent without a reason. They're too stupid to work on their own."
"Well," Raven paused, "You know that I'm half Phoenix Youkai. We're very rare. Not one of us is a pure breed any more, for lack of a better term. I'm the purest you'll find. Most have been diluted down to one- sixteenth or one-thirty-second blood. Any way, our feathers are used for many things. With them, you can transform into a phoenix although humans will never be able to change back, the heat they give off will kill any low class demon, and there are thousands of draughts that they can be put into kill. Like normal phoenixes, our tears have amazing healing powers, at least for humans, but most demons think that they also help youkai. Someone could have learned of my existence and is probably after my feathers or my tears. Make sense?"
"For the most part," Kurama replied.
Days had passed and the Tentai had fallen into a routine. No new demons had attacked and no new threats had become evident. Harry had been doing fabulous in quidditch and Raven was slowly gaining control over her Jagan. Hiei, although he'd never admit it, was satisfied with her progress and was almost to the point of being impressed. The only problem anyone could see was the quickly approaching sickle moon. Raven and Kurama would have to be snuck out of the castle again. It had been done a few times before but each time it grew harder. Their last attempt was almost thwarted by a group of centaurs that weren't overly willing to let the demons enter their home.
The seconds slowly ticked by and Raven watched each one with growing eagerness. Forget about dinner, she could feel her ears starting to shift on her head, telling her that the transformation into her demonic form wasn't willing to wait for the full moon this time around.
"Put a hat on."
Raven jumped at the command and looked around Kurama. Hiei was looking fixedly ahead at the chalkboard as if reading the notes on it that told how to transform a fox into a rose. His eyes didn't even flicker in her direction but his hands were fingering the brim of his hat. Raven caught his idea and reached for hers, jamming it onto her head, ignoring the questioning look she received from Kurama.
I knew about the ears and the teeth but my hair is changing now too? she went back to staring at the clock while sending the message to the fire-demon.
Yes.
Blast! I hate this! fire blazed in her eyes and she could feel her temper fueling the heat that she had started to give off. If she wasn't careful, anything flammable would go up in flames in a few seconds. Taking a deep breath, she schooled her thoughts back down to a safe level.
Calm down, you have three minutes left.
That may not be enough, she growled. I'm doing everything I can to keep my wings from growing in.
Hold them off.
I'm trying!
"Miss Black!"
"Yes Professor?"
"Have you finished copying these notes?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Then perhaps you can perform the charm for us."
"Of course ma'am." Raven picked up her wand and took a deep breath, "Vulpes fulva Rosales," she tapped the North American Red Fox in front of her with her wand and it swiftly changed into a deep red, almost black, rose. Her concentration had switched to performing the spell long enough for her wings to start their movement. She covered her mouth to prevent a slight squeak from escaping. Hiei, she called frantically, help!
What do you want me to do? You're the one that lost control.
You are so dead.
What ever but I suggest you think of something quickly.
I despise you.
Good. My job is done. Now move.
Thinking fast, Raven lept to her feet, knocking over her chair in the process, and raced out of the room with a clawed hand over her mouth.
"Miss Black! Come back here this instant!"
"That wouldn't be wise," Kurama commented from his position in the back of the room. He, too, had put on his hat to hide his shifting ears and silvering hair. "I think we caught something," he lept to his own feet and sprinted out of the room, mimicking the look that Raven wore when she had left.
"Up to the infirmary! Both of you!" Professor McGonagall called at their retreating forms.
"Classic," Yusuke muttered to Harry. "I've seen that trick a thousand times. Used it a lot too." Harry gave him an appalled look. Why would anyone want to skip this class? Raven and Shuuichi couldn't be faking it. It just didn't make sense.
"Maybe they ate something bad," he replied as McGonagall turned back to her class. Moments later, the bell rang, dismissing everyone for dinner.
"Where's Shuuichi and Raven?" Ron whispered as he looked along the length of the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables to see if the two were anywhere in sight. Both of them were missing.
"Maybe they're still up in the infirmary," Harry suggested as he took a sip of his pumpkin juice. "We'll go see after dinner." He returned to his meal.
Just as Harry had said, he, Ron, and Hermione went up to the infirmary to see if Shuuichi and Raven were up there. Hermione was completely astounded that they weren't there, Harry was halfway surprised, and Ron just started saying, "I told you so," to his friends. Both of them ignored him and started to ponder where their two friends could be as they went back to the Gryffindor common room.
"You almost didn't make it," Hiei sat on a branch above the two youkai below, one with silver ears, the other with flaming hair.
"We had plenty of time," Youko Kurama replied coolly.
"I beg to differ."
"Then start begging," Raven said smoothly. "In the mean time, I'm going to go find a werewolf to fight. They're supposed to be fun to play with." A malicious grin swept across her features as she ran deeper into the forest.
"She's almost as vain as you are," Hiei commented to the taller demon.
"I take that as a challenge."
"I don't care. Just don't go into the castle tonight. Stay out on the grounds. I don't need to have to bring you back out here. I'll make excuses to the rest of the school if anyone asks."
"I believe you've been around me for far too long, Hiei. You're starting to know what it is you need to do on nights like these." The deep voice of the kitsune teased with a tone that clearly said his mind was somewhere else, probably on the case in the castle filled with gold, silver, and bronze trophies that could be found, or maybe on concentrating to find a brake in the barriers between Ningenkai and Makai that was close by.
"Hn. Just don't blow it." Hiei turned on his heal and prepared to leave when he was confronted by Raven.
"I thought you were going to go 'play' with the werewolves," Kurama commented from behind the vertically challenged youkai.
"They won't come near me, the cowards," Raven hissed. "How about a fight?" She looked directly at Hiei, fingering the hilt of one of her dirks. "You may be able to beat me in my human form, but I bet I can beat you in this one."
"How about I fight you instead," Yusuke walked into the clearing where the three stood.
"Interesting proposition, detective," Raven replied as she turned to him. "Tell me, how long do you want this fight to last? I know humans have to sleep at some point."
"I'll sleep in History of Magic tomorrow like everyone else. However, to be on the safe side, how about the traditional first blood?"
"A good choice," Raven commented, "let us begin." She dropped into a fighting stance, still fingering the hilts of her dirks.
Yusuke shifted one foot behind him and gripped his right wrist with his left hand. A Spirit Gun should finish her off with ease. He'd keep the power low, just to be sure. He didn't want to kill the girl his friends were to protect.
"Rei Gun!" the blast shot directly at Raven. With a quick twist, she was around it and heading straight for the boy, one dirk drawn. She lashed out when she was in arms reach but missed when Yusuke bent at the waist and to the left. The second blade flashed as the phoenix attempted to drive it into the detective's shoulder. He caught her wrist and the two fought over the knife for a moment until Raven did a flip over Yusuke's head, twisting his grip into a way he couldn't hold her arm, causing him to release her. "Rei Gun!" The second shot was destined to hit, it was a point blank shot. Just as the power rammed into Raven, a blade streaked across Yusuke's outstretched wrist.
"Who won?" Yusuke demanded as he gripped his wound.
"Tie," Hiei replied calmly, steadily.
"Tie? Tie!" Yusuke demanded. "It couldn't be a tie! I swear I beat her!"
"It was a tie. Trust me, I know," a small patch of blue started glowing under Hiei's bandana.
"I hate that thing..." Yusuke grumbled as he stormed off, back to the castle.
"Raven?" Hiei asked looking over at her prone form. He didn't receive a reply. Approaching the girl, he found her to be unconscious. Rolling his eyes, the demon turned to leave the girl in her current condition.
"Shouldn't we do something?"
"Shuuichi let Youko have control. This isn't your concern." With that, the hi-youkai walked away.
"Come near me and die," Raven's anger had been kindled somehow and the fire demon had no idea what the cause was. She just seemed extraordinarily pissed at him for some reason. Without replying, Hiei walked in the other direction, heading for their first class of the day while Raven finished her breakfast.
"Good morning, Raven!" Koenma said happily, as he sat down next to her. He received the same growl Hiei had gotten with an even deadlier glare. Koenma scooted away a few inches.
"Wonder why she's so pissed at the world," Yusuke remarked quietly to no one in particular from the Gryffindor table.
"I think she's just tired," Yukina commented, "she was gone all night long."
"So was Kurama for that matter," remarked a passing Botan. "He didn't show up until I was leaving."
"What do you suppose those two were up to?" Yusuke remarked with a sly glint in his eye.
"Not everyone's as perverted as you are," Keiko scolded after leaving a hand shaped red print on his face. "They probably just couldn't sleep."
"What was last night?" Koenma asked abruptly as he came over to sit with the group.
"Uh... the Thirteenth of January, why?" Yusuke replied.
"No," Koenma muttered exasperatedly, "what phase was the moon in?"
"Sickle, I believe," Keiko remarked, "what difference does it make?"
"All the difference," Koenma replied. "Youko had a little fun last night and I get the feeling that Raven did too. She's probably just tired. Leave her alone for the day."
"Raven has her reasons for acting this way."
Hiei spun and looked up into the knowing eyes of Dumbledore. "Of course she does," the demon stated, holding the contempt from his voice. "I did leave her to take care of herself last night. Even though it was rather stupid. Had she lost control of her Jagan last night, we could all be dead." His thoughts followed silently after his words.
"I need to talk with you and Mr. Minamino as soon as you can find him. I'll see both of you in my office in a short while." The old man turned and walked away without another word.
"Next time you do that to me, I'll burn your hair and every seed in it." Hiei led a very tired looking Kurama to the hallway in which Dumbledore's office was located.
"I'm sorry, Hiei. I didn't realize it was you." Kurama apologized with a bit of a pleading tone to his voice. He hated it when his friend was angry with him. "You surprised me, is all. I did it out of reflex, I swear to Inari." In truth, Kurama had been startled by the short fire demon. Startled enough to suspend Hiei from the ceiling by his ankle with a rather strong vine. In the end, it put Hiei into a foul mood, foul enough to rival the one that Kurama had been in when he had been woken up.
"Whatever, let's just get through this meeting as fast as possible. I need to talk to Koenma." The two entered Dumbledore's office after Kurama said the password.
"So her father was killed on this day ten years ago?"
"Precisely, that's probably why she's in such a foul mood."
That's hardly a good reason to call us up here, Hiei remarked silently to Kurama.
Agreed. To Dumbledore, the kitsune inquired, "Is there anything else you wish to discuss with us?"
The man's expression changed, becoming very grave. "Actually, there is, Mister Minamino. According to Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds here, Mister Potter seems to have stumbled onto some information he shouldn't have and now I must tell you about it so that you may remain informed on possibilities of Harry's possible actions." He drew a deep breath.
"A friend of mine, Nicholas Flamel, and I have created something called 'The Sorcerer's Stone'-"
"Say no more," the youth interrupted. "I know about the Stone. Just tell me what his has to do with Harry."
"Well, the Stone is hidden here and I'm afraid that someone is trying to find and steal it. Mister Potter seems to know about this fact and wishes to keep the Stone safe as well. He may go after it in addition to the first pursuer. The problem is, it is guarded by many deadly and/or painful spells. I worry that the boy may get hurt. Please, keep a very close eye on him for the next few months."
"Of course, now, if you'll excuse me," the demon yawned behind his hand, "I'm going back to bed," and he left Dumbledore's office. Hiei stood to follow.
"A moment, if you please, Mister Jaganshi." The Koorime turned back towards the headmaster. "I realize that you are not the most sociable of people and would prefer to find some dark corner to hide in rather than to be around someone who is usually socializing rather comfortably, but please, find an excuse to be around Raven constantly. I have a feeling that more and more creatures similar to the Chover are after her."
"I know that," Hiei replied, not bothering to hide his contemptuous tone this time. "I've taken care of at least twelve. Raven's been fighting them as well. Don't try to deny that you know of the morning training sessions in which she has fought them. I've seen you watching. You know exactly when a foreign being steps onto these grounds." With that, Hiei left, leaving Dumbledore to ponder over what the boy had said. He wasn't sure if he liked the idea of the small wizard knowing about his intelligence with the surrounding grounds.
The Valentine's Ball was fast approaching and Kurama was dreading it every moment of his existence. Even though he was only a first year, he had an enormous fan club he had been warding off all year long. This dance was really going to try his patience. To make matters worse, the night after was a full moon. Youko might be set loose early if the human side of him couldn't keep control of his temper. His only hope was if someone could cast an illusion over him if things became bad.
"I'm not going."
"Don't look at me."
"Raven, Hiei, please! How am I supposed to explain that transformation to anyone?" Kurama whined as he talked with the two Jagan owners in the Ravenclaw common room on February 14th. Yes, Raven's was only a copy of Hiei's but it was just as powerful.
"Don't know, don't care." The two chorused. Raven lifted her book back up in front of her nose and Hiei went back to sharpening his katana.
"Please!" Kurama was begging.
"No," the two replied simultaneously.
"But-"
"No."
"Fine. I'll just have to tell Yukina-"
"Alright! I'll do it!" Hiei interrupted before another person could find out about his relation to the small aqua haired Koorime. He slammed his blade back into its sheath and glared at Raven as she tried to stifle her laughter by biting on her thumbnail as Kurama often did. "Which means you're coming too. I can't leave you on your own anymore. Dumbledore's orders."
"I'll kill the old man," Raven's retort was filled with malice.
"Thank you," Kurama gasped, ignoring the two's squabble. "You better get ready. The dance starts in half an hour." The fox turned tail and left the common room for his own.
"I'll kill Kurama for this," Hiei growled as he walked into the packed Great Hall. His dark blue robes fit well but were left loose enough that he could fight easily and his katana was hidden as well.
"Ah, Hiei. Glad you could make it," Kurama said happily from his position at a table next to Yukina and Koenma. "You know, you should wear blue more often. On the other hand, maybe red. That embroidery really brings out your eyes." The smug tone had Hiei seething and promising dire deaths to a certain kitsune mentally.
"Where's Raven?" Botan asked. "I thought she would come down with you."
"I'm right here," Raven's growl gave Hiei a run for his money. However, she did look spectacular in deep red robes with a black Japanese style obi. Again, a Shakkusen hung from a string at her waist. This one was a deep blue, making the silver blades stand out.
"Oh joy! Another Shakkusen!" Botan remarked happily after complimenting the irate girl on her taste in clothing. "Shall we start another game of Fan Toss considering our last one was interrupted?" She sent a glare Yusuke's way.
"Sure, why not? It might prove entertaining." Raven pulled her weapon off her belt and snapped it open with a resounding "snap." The other girl's from Japan gathered around her and the game started.
On the seventh circuit, Raven caught the fan, spun on her heal and threw the weapon vertically between Hiei and Kurama's heads. A resounding scream was heard from the surrounding student body but Raven was following the trail of her weapon. It had stuck deeply into the skull of a middle-class demon that had disguised itself as one of the students. As she ran past, she yanked her blade from the demon's body and threw it again as she turned to the left. She missed this time as her target dodged. Hiei unsheathed his katana and took chase. He had finally taken a moment to sense for the demons.
"Spread out!" Raven called. "They're everywhere!" Upon further inspection, the rest of the Tentai found her statement to be true. The hall was filled with demons of many of the middle classes.
An unnatural fog filled the great hall.
"We can't risk hurting the students," Kurama called. "Jin, clear the mist for just a little bit. We have to get the students out!"
"I can't!" Jin yelled after a moment, over the screaming. "It's from th' ceilin'." Kurama started to panic until a clear note reached his ears. The fog disappeared. Turning, he saw Raven gently singing out a pure tone.
Hurry! the mental note reached the entire Tentai. I can only hold this for so long! Find the demons and kill them!
A flurry of activity followed. Botan, Keiko, Koenma, and Yukina started ushering students out of the Great Hall while the others went about killing every demon that could be found. The fog reappeared for a split second as Raven took a breath but vanished again as the resonating note returned. Hiei, Kurama, Genkai, Jin, Touya, and Yusuke could all feel the power that Raven was pouring into the incantation summoned by her voice. If the demons weren't taken care of soon, she'd run out of power and they'd be back into the same mess they had started in.
How many more? Raven's voice echoed around the almost empty hall.
"We've almost got them all. Just hold on a little longer." Kurama sliced through another demon with his rose whip.
Hurry please. Raven took another breath. The note wavered this time when she started but soon held and the mist cleared again.
"Quit fooling around Yusuke! Just fire a Shot Gun already!" Koenma was watching Raven anxiously; afraid the girl would collapse at any given moment.
"Everybody move! Someone get Raven!" Yusuke stepped back and into a corner where he could face the entire room. Hiei picked up his charge by the waist and slung her over his shoulder as he ran out of the line of fire, startling her into dropping her note again. The mist settled back in but it no longer mattered. Once the others were clear, Yusuke brought his fist back besides his waist. "SHOT GUN!" The shout reverberated around the hall as Yusuke's energy felled the remaining demons.
"Is that all of them?" Raven panted from her position on the floor in the Entrance Hall where Hiei had dropped her. She had a nasty gash down the side of her face where a demon had found a hit when she was distracted by Kurama and Jin's conversation.
"It would seem so," Touya replied as he looked around.
"None got out of the Hall," Hiei affirmed, his Jagan glowing once again.
"Magnificent display!" The group turned to Dumbledore and the other professors. "Quite the show. Now, the party has been removed to house dorms so if you would like to join them..." He trailed off, looking expectantly at the students.
"Uh... sure," Yusuke said as he quirked an eyebrow at Kurama, hoping for an explanation. The kitsune shook his head, he had no idea what went on in the old man's mind. The Tentai and company trooped up to their respected dorms while Touya and Jin went to their offices to ponder over the happenings of the evening. How did so many demons get into the school without being detected? There was only one way: They had help.
Vannen: GET OUT OF THERE!
Youko: But your CD collection is so vast. How many do you have?
Vannen: That's none of your business.
Youko: You can't count them all, can you?
Vannen: I lost track at about 150 last time…
Youko: Very fond of music, I see.
Vannen: Yes, now please get out of them. I don't want them damaged.
Youko: You don't hmm? holds up a CD and menacingly bends it a little
Vannen: NO! Not the Aerosmith! That's one of my favorites. I'll do what ever you want! Just please, don't hurt them!
Youko: This could be fun…
Vannen: I just said anything didn't I? Crap. Oh well. Hope you all enjoyed. I'm going to have to keep him from doing something drastic.
Hiei: Hn.
Vannen: Again, I shall translate. "Review before she makes us all go deaf with her wailing and whining." And he's right. Please review. Later all! Runs off, trying to get Youko away from her CD collection
