Chapter 39 - Trainwreck
A/N: Just a little reminder that the art that has been amassed for this fic can be found on my Tumblr! Please check my bio for the link! So I started this chapter over THREE times. Hoping third time's the charm!
"You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend." - Bruce Lee 'Be Like Water.'. . .
My mind was empty. My body flowing like water. I kept my breaths steady. Each step had a purpose, each whisper of air, each movement I made - had a purpose. They were me letting go. They were my fleeting emotions being washed away with each drop of sweat. I felt no fear, no pain, no anger - just emptiness.
I went through the motions of my Tai-chi routine as if my body wasn't my own. I'd detached myself from the world. I'd been like this for…
I didn't know.
It could have been minutes or days. I didn't care. Hitomi would come to me when it was time.
This morning hadn't gone well. I'd hoped for so much more and gotten a slap to the face for my efforts.
As promised, Yusuke had called Keiko. My uncle had taken a car to go retrieve not only her, but per Botan's suggestion, also Shizuru and Yukina. They'd arrived in the wee hours of the morning, none too happy at being disturb so early. Well, Shizuru and Keiko anyway, Yukina was the same as always if a little confused.
Keiko's first words to me had been, "What happened to your hair?!"
After I had dodged that question and simply answered that an accident had happened, Shizuru fixed my hack job. That was the last of any pleasent conversation. The girls had demanded an explanation and with Yusuke's help I'd told them why they had been called.
Keiko was angry. So angry. I hadn't expected to be slapped in the face - the sting of her hand still fresh. It had caused an argument between her and Yusuke.
I was putting him danger...I was going to get him killed. Those words rang through my mind. I redoubled my efforts, trying to clear the thoughts away with physical exertion.
She'd been just as scared for my safety, that slap as much for me as it was for him. She'd begged me to find another way, any other way. But there was none. I was doing this for her - for the world.
And then there'd been Kazuma. He'd barely spoken to me since yesterday and the reason came out right in the midst of all this bullshit.
Why hadn't I thought of him? Why Yusuke?
My answer didn't placate him. I couldn't risk him...I couldn't worry about him the whole time. Keiko took it the wrong way, thinking I thought her boyfriend expendable.
And Kazuma figured I thought he was weak. Both my best friends were now justifiably pissed at me. Even though none of that was true. Kazuma was one of the strongest men I knew...and as for Yusuke, I cared about him too. He was just my best - and only - option.
My heart started to race, I was covered in sweat and heaving out great choking breaths. I stopped, my arms hung at my sides. There was no point to this. I reached up and tugged at my hair, wanting to scream.
I felt like such a shitty person.
I fell onto my ass, a dust cloud lifting around me. It covered my sticky skin in a thin film of dirt. I was a goddamn trainwreck.
Someone clearing their throat behind me made my back stiffen, but I didn't turn. I could sense who it was and he didn't need to know I was surprised by his presence.
"What?" I said, ruder than I had intended. I hadn't expected anyone to come find me down here. It irritated me.
"I was hoping to find you alone," he said.
I breathed out a laugh, "Why, you gonna murder me?"
He chuckled, "Of course not." He didn't sound all that sincere, but I didn't sense any sinister intentions from him.
"I have some questions...before you leave with him."
This was about Hiei than. I should have known. I sneered, wrapping my arms around my knees. I refused to show him how I really felt about this subject.
He walked around me, just as silent as his dark partner. He stopped in front of me, his head cocked to the side. I hated how impeccable he was. Kurama presented a picture perfect image of a kind, studious, handsome gentlemen. But I knew that he hid some much darker part of himself underneath that human skin.
And he was just as aware of that as I was.
His eyes glinted, the green lighter than I remembered. I braced myself for a shitstorm.
"You lookin' for a fight?"
He smiled, "No. Just some answers - quite simple really."
I scoffed. There was nothing simple about any of them.
He put his hands in the pockets of his slacks and gave me that false smile again. "What is your relationship with Amano-san?"
"That's none of your business," I answered.
He nodded, though I could tell he wasn't pleased with me. "Perhaps I should mention something first - " he said.
He took his hands out of his pockets and folded his arms across his chest. I was surprised his fingernails hadn't turned to claws. "I'm quite aware that you are Hiei's soulmate."
I choked down the gasp that tried to escape my throat. I cringed, turning away from him. I hadn't expected Hiei to say anything...or had Kurama just figured it out himself? That was the more likely scenario. He was too fucking smart for his own good.
"That's no business of yours either," I snapped. I wanted to be on equal footing with him. I couldn't pretend nonchalance any longer. So I rose to my feet, my hands balled into fists, fingernails digging into my palms.
"It is when it affects someone who I am personally invested in," he said.
I laughed out of spite. "What, are you in love with him?"
He scowled at me, his face so ugly all of a sudden. He looked so cold - like ice rain through his veins instead of blood. That look made my heart freeze in my chest.
Chronos whispered through my mind, telling me to be careful. I obeyed. I straightened my back and swallowed down the lump in my throat.
His glare ate away at me as he said, "No, but you are."
This only angered me and true to form I snapped, "You're fucking high."
He began to pace around me, a beast caging in his prey. "You're so in love with him all you can do is push him away."
I held my arms up in a shrug. "So, you gonna run off and tell him all my dirty secrets?"
He shook his head, eyes narrowing. "He should find out of his own volition in his own way."
"What is the point of this conversation then?"
"I thought I'd gotten my warnings across...but it seems a more direct approach has become necessary."
He stopped abruptly and a hand shot out towards my face so fast I couldn't dodge. He gripped my chin between his fingers, tight enough to scrunch up my lips. He dragged me forward, so close I could feel his breath. All I could see were his eyes...which were no longer that vibrant green.
Instead...they were a bright, soul shattering gold. The eyes of a fox. The eyes of a demon.
"Leave him be or love him. Do not play games. Do not drag out his suffering." He let me go and I stumbled back, rubbing my chin.
His eyes were green again. He brushed himself off and picked invisible lint off the sleeve of his shirt. "I'm sorry for this...unpleasantness and hope you can forgive me."
I stared at him as if he'd grown two heads. He was taking the piss right? I just nodded, unable to speak. He smiled, genuine this time and nodded. "Glad we have come to an agreement," he said.
He began to walk away, the gentlemen once more. For a time I stood there stunned but before he could exit the room I called to him, "Kurama!"
He turned, eyebrows raised towards his hairline - a clear question.
"I've chosen to leave him alone," I said. "I made that decision days ago."
He frowned, eyes sad, and said, "I'm afraid you'll end up regretting that choice."
Before I could come up with a rebuttal Kurama slipped through the doorway and let it fall closed behind him. What the hell was that just now? Had I seriously just been shoved into a corner? And what had those parting words meant?
How could I regret a choice I'd made for both our sakes? It was best this way. I knew it was. But now...Kurama was creating doubts. Doubts that had no place inside my brain.
I tugged at my hair again, a new habit I'd picked up since it had been cut. My heart was racing. I felt sick to my stomach. Why? Why can't that bastard just leave me be?
...I didn't know if I meant Kurama...or Hiei.
. . .
"Are you prepared?"
I rolled my eyes at her. Of course I was. I was told to travel light. I had a single pack with a blanket rolled and strapped to the top. Inside the bag was a change of clothes, an extra pair of contacts, several knives, rations of food and water and a first aid kit. As for my companions - Yusuke was bringing a bag even smaller than mine and Hiei was bringing only the clothes on his back and his swords.
When I had asked what they planned to do about food Hiei had looked at me like I was a moron and simply said, "Hunt."
Which, I'd deserved that. It had been a stupid question. What did I think, that my few measly meals would last months? I was hopeful that the ordeal wouldn't take that long but my time allotted by Koenma was three months, no more no less.
Keiko sighed beside me. When she'd realized this was going to happen, that there was no stopping me or Yusuke, she had come around. She still wasn't happy but she wasn't angry with me anymore. Kazuma, although still disappointed, had forgiven me as well.
The Makai was no place for a human. Even I was scared shitless. I had lived in some rough places, been put through hell, but this was different. This was centuries back in time. There would be no creature comforts, no place I would even feel safe. I didn't need Kazuma mixed up in that mess. It was bad enough I was dragging along Yusuke. And I hadn't even gotten my way...Hiei had decided to come. I'd kept hopeful that he would change his mind. But he never did. I had no idea why and he hadn't bothered to explain. Big surprise.
"Are you certain?" she asked again.
It was my turn to sigh. "Yes!"
Besides what I had packed I made sure to dress in layers. Yusuke had told me that the Makai's weather and terrain changed from region to region. I dressed warmly, underclothes and two pairs of socks, a hoodie beneath my leather jacket. I wore black leather boots suitable for all kinds of walking. I'd also packed gloves and a beanie cap just in case. I was as prepared as I could be without knowing what I was getting into.
"I'm just worried about you…"
My annoyance faded and I gave her a small smile. I reached across the expanse of my bed, where we both sat, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know, but everything is going to be okay. I promise that we will all come back in one piece."
"Yusuke...he tries to -" she paused and collected her thoughts. "He tries to shield me from all this. He keeps things from me."
Her soft brown eyes flicked up to me and fear swam there. Fear for our lives. Fear for the love she could lose. Fear of what was to come. Yusuke wouldn't have even mentioned where he was going if I hadn't forced him to. I think Keiko knew that. He would have come up with some elaborate lie just to protect her...to keep her from worrying.
It was admirable in its own way. But honesty and integrity were important things in a relationship. Without those the foundation of what they had built together could crumble.
"I should have said yes," she mumbled.
I stopped, my memories floating back to simpler days. Days when we would stop for coffee and whisper secrets to each other. "To his proposal?" I asked.
She nodded. "I don't know if it would do me any good. But at least he'd know I was waiting for him."
I smiled. "He knows."
"I've missed you," she said.
"Me too," I replied.
I stood from the bed and opened the top drawer of the tiny desk on the other side of the room. I pulled out my handgun. "Come here," I said.
Her brows dipped in concern but she stood all the same. I took both of her hands in mine and placed the gun in one of her palms. She looked at me in shock her mouth open to protest, to scream at me, to tell me I was being an idiot. The look in my eyes shut her up. I wouldn't be there to protect her...and neither would Yusuke.
"Let me show you how to use it." And so, I arranged her hands into position. I helped her point it at the wall. I showed her how to cock it, how to put a bullet in the chamber. I showed how to switch the safety on and off and how to take out the cartridge. Then I kicked her feet apart with the toe of my boot.
"Now shoot," I said.
"What?!"
"Just do it."
She was shaking, the finger she held on the trigger trembling. She squeezed her eyes closed. "Open them, never close your eyes. Shoot to incapacitate, not kill. That requires your sight."
She obeyed and with a shaky breath she pulled the trigger. The bullet went through the metal wall, leaving a tiny hole behind. She loosed the breath she'd been holding.
"Remember to breathe too," I said and she glared at me.
She went to hand back the gun but I wouldn't take it. "Keep it until I come back."
"No way! I hate these things!"
"Please Keiko-chan, it'll make me feel better," I pleaded with her.
She paused, still holding the gun awkwardly. She flicked the safety back on. She took a deep breath and then nodded in resignation. "Okay…just until you come back."
"Thank you," I breathed.
She set it down next to her things on my bed with ginger hands. With her back to me I saw as she peaked at the watch on her wrist. Almost time now. She wasn't ready for the goodbye. I couldn't blame her.
"I'd like to meet your sister," she said suddenly.
I paused, chewing it over. "Alright."
Hitomi's energy glowed brightly on the third floor. It was calm, flowing like gentle ocean waves. Unlike mine which fluctuated beneath my skin like a brewing storm. It had returned fully sometime last night, just in the nick of time. But now it roiled inside me, as if it was restless. Chronos wasn't any better. She'd spent most of the day rambling inside my head but in a language I couldn't understand. It was driving me up a wall.
I took the trek to the upper floors with Keiko silent beside me. I stopped outside the room my sister was in and turned to my friend. "She's nothing like me," I said. Then I let out a derisive laugh, "Honestly, you'll probably like her better."
"Not possible," she said. "I like loudmouthed, salty sailors with a penchant to fly off the handle."
I barked out a laugh and asked, "Then how come you don't get along with Hiei?"
She shrugged, "He's not the friendly type. And I get along with him okay...we just don't talk."
I had nothing to say about that. Hiei probably didn't think much of her one way or the other. He didn't like humans after all.
I didn't bother knocking and just flung the door open. My sister was where I had expected her, sitting at the desk identical to the one in my room. What I could not have predicted was the fact Hiei was sitting on the edge of her bed. He'd been hiding his energy and the look on his face told me he hadn't realized I was coming. Odd for him.
"What's this now?" I asked. "Decided you'd try for my sister instead?"
I'd instantly forgotten about Keiko. I ignored when my sister snapped at me. I took a single step into the room and then stopped, turned, and left. I couldn't get angry with him...I wanted to so badly, but it would make me hypocrite. I'd decided to let him go - had told Kurama so just a few hours ago. I couldn't get angry with him when I'd been upset over his own jealousy of Ren.
But this was my sister.
"Kasumi!" Keiko called for me. I hadn't realized I'd started to run and soon she fell behind. Her cries faded until I couldn't hear them at all.
I ran until the air in my lungs started to burn. I slowed to a jog...then to a walk, until I finally stopped. I pivoted and smashed my fist into the nearest wall. The metal crumpled. I didn't feel the pain it should have caused.
I might have screamed my outrage for all the world to hear. But a hand shot out and grabbed my shoulder. I didn't even think, I just swung. The punch connected and the man stumbled back. He avoided crashing into the opposite wall, but only just.
Ren stared at me with wide eyes, a palm cupping his abused cheek. "Christ Kasumi."
"Shit, I thought you were someone else."
He stared at me for a second, eyes searching. "What happened?"
My chest constricted and I squeezed my eyes shut. I needed to forget everything. I needed to cleanse him from my system. I needed even a few minutes where I didn't think of demons or dying or the fate of the world. Just a few bearable moments.
And so, with no thought to what kind of consequences this could bring, I grabbed Ren. He didn't protest. He didn't say a word. He just let me embrace him, my lips searching for his hungrily. He let me violate him, let me tear his shirt from his shoulders and drag him into the nearest room.
Nothing could sate me. I was gluttonous. I took everything Ren had to give. I poured my pain into him and in return, he lost himself in me. He left bruises and bite marks. I scoured my nails down his back and bit his lips until they bled. Our energies mingled, heightened our senses and I forgot everything.
In the arms of the man I had once hated I was no longer the guardian of Purgatory. I was just Kasumi. A rather brash, rude, outcasted woman - and also the stupidest person alive.
. . .
Sometime later I sat with a sheet draped in my lap. Ren was dressing - shirtless because I'd destroyed his - and so awkward I could have cried. I bent down, dug out my cigarettes and lit one. He turned at the sound of the lighter and I offered him one. He took it and I lit it for him with the ember from mine.
He looked me up and down, drinking in what he knew was the first and last time he'd see me like this. "Thank you," he said.
My lip curled in disgust, "For what?"
"I just...I needed that."
Same here, I thought. But it hadn't really made me feel any better. Physically I was sated...but mentally…
"It'll never happen again," I said.
He nodded, "I know."
I stared at him for a time, blowing smoke rings, contemplating. It dawned on me that Hiei had been right. I was back to my old habits. The thought made me chuckle...and that chuckle turned into a full blown laugh. And that was all it took. I felt no happiness, no joy. I was hysterical and I only laughed harder and harder. I lost my breath and choked on nothing. Still that laughter wouldn't stop. Ren looked on, his face cold as stone. He knew...he knew...and I hated him all over again.
I didn't cry. There was no point in weeping. It wouldn't change a thing.
My laughter died abruptly. I stomped out the cigarette on the floor and didn't bother picking it up.
Ren said, "It's almost time."
I looked at the clock ticking away as if my world wasn't crumbling down around me. Time never stopped. Not for me. Not for anyone. I should know - I was housing the god of time inside my body.
An hour was all I had left.
So I collected myself, dressed, and walked out the door without a backwards glance. I had taken from Ren what I'd needed. He was satisfied with what I'd given him in return. It was both a goodbye and the final chapter in the story of Ren and I. From now on...we were just acquaintances. That was good enough for both of us.
I kept my mind blank as I walked through the halls towards my final destination. Energies converged there, bright and terrible. I stopped only briefly to retrieve what I needed from my room. As I passed the bathroom mirror I stopped to see if I looked any different. I felt as if I'd been turned to marble.
Ren had been careful to leave his marks in places that would be covered. But I could feel them there. My stomach twisted. I shook the feeling off and then walked towards my fate.
I entered the common room without knocking. My guilt ridden conscience fought with my more rational brain - I had no reason to feel guilty. So I kept my eyes from straying towards where I knew he was. I was positive my avoidance wouldn't matter. He must have been able to smell Ren on me from a mile away.
I wouldn't look at him - I couldn't. If I did the tiny amount of resolve I'd gathered would crumple like paper. Instead, at the sight of my sister sitting by so innocent, my usual mask of anger took over. My eyes hardened and it took all my willpower not to rip her head off.
"We don't have much time," she said. Apparently I was late to the party and missing something.
"We have half an hour at least."
She shook her head, "I just received word from Koenma. I tried to find you…" It was left unspoken that the reason she couldn't was of my own doing. I hadn't wanted her to find me. She didn't know Takahiro's compound like I did. And she was no fool. If she'd followed my energy…
The knowing look in her eyes brought fury rushing through me all over again. She looked disappointed. It was that same snooty look she'd give me when we were kids. I always did things she would never lower herself to do. Hitomi - the perfect little angel.
I ignored my anger and asked instead, "What did you hear?"
"King Enma has discovered our plan. He is sending agents here to arrest us as we speak."
"What?!" I shouted. No matter how angry I was...no matter what happened between us…
I couldn't leave if she was in danger!
"You will go swiftly. No more time to talk. No more time to plan."
"Hitomi - "
She cut me off, "Now is not the time sister! I can protect myself!"
I pursed my lips and my energy flared, "Can you?!"
She sighed, exasperated and just as angry at me as I was with her. "I have no time for your bullshit right now!"
Her swearing shut me up...if only temporarily.
"Lord Koenma is doing what he can to slow them down. Botan went to assist," she said.
My uncle stepped forward and in his hands was a scabbard sword. But not the kind I had expected.
"What is that?" I asked.
He smiled, "I know you're used to a Japanese styled blade, but I feel this will suit you better."
He handed me the scabbarded sword. I pulled it from its sheath in awe. It was a medieval styled long sword. The steel gleamed, sharp enough to cut a hair in half. I gave it an experimental swing, liking its weight and the texture of the pommel. It had elaborate runes carved down the flat of the blade.
"It's designed a bit shorter...considering your height," Takahiro added.
"You made this?"
He nodded, "Did you think I'd let you leave without proper protection?"
I sheathed the sword, wrapping the belt attached to the scabbard around my waist. "Thank you," I said and meant it from the bottom of my heart.
Next to step forward was Genkai, much to my surprise. She handed me a small satchel attached to a cord of leather. "What is this?" I asked.
She said nothing, just held it out to me. I took it gingerly and that is when I noticed it had an ungodly odor to it. I held it at arm's length and gagged. "What the fuck is that?!"
She chuckled, amused by my reaction. "It's some special herbs. The smell will fade in several days as it soaks into your skin."
"What? That's gross, no thank you!"
I went to give it back and she slapped my hand. "You will wear it! It will mask your scent. Do you want every demon flocking towards you for their next meal?"
I scowled, hesitated, but inevitably pulled the foul thing over my head. I tucked it beneath my layers of clothing, hoping it would block some of the smell. It didn't make a lick of difference.
"Anyone else wanna give me some weird ass present?" I snapped. "No? Okay, great, good, grand!"
Takahiro turned to Hitomi, "It's time."
They gave us a few spare minutes to say our goodbyes while they prepared. My uncle was drawing a circle of runes on the floor. He'd tossed the rug aside and was using a liquid that looked too much like blood for my comfort.
I respectfully stepped out of Keiko's near back breaking hug so Yusuke could kiss her farewell. In the meantime Kazuma wrapped me in his arms. He sent a prayer to the heavens for my safe return, squeezing me to his chest. I breathed in his scent, trying to memorize every nuance of my friend.
The rest of my goodbyes were polite but clipped short.
Hitomi motioned me over to the center of the circle. As I stepped inside my skin started to crawl. There was a power unlike any other lying dormant within this room. Chronos took up her chorus inside my head again. I realized belatedly that it was her way of praying for my safety. Or perhaps her own.
Takahiro took my sister's hand and planted his feet.
"Yusuke-san, Hiei-san, please enter the circle."
Yusuke broke his embrace with Keiko, wiping her tears and promising he would return. He joined me at my side and smiled at me. That little bit of encouragement made me feel marginally better. Except a moment later all that was sucked away.
Hiei hadn't stepped forward. In fact, I don't think he'd taken his eyes off me the entire time I'd been in this room. I'd done my best to ignore it. I hadn't looked at him, not even once. But now…
I couldn't help it. I looked up. And I froze solid.
I'd never seen him quite look that way. It was as if something had died inside him. That beautiful red had dulled. His eyes traveled up from my feet to my face and then locked with my own.
That was when I knew - I'd made a huge mistake and there would be no taking it back.
Hiei was no fool. He was aware of what had occurred between Ren and I. And he was doing his damndest to hide just exactly how he felt about it.
I'd never seen those eyes so hollow.
"Hiei-san…?" At my sister's quiet question he finally moved. His slow pace set my nerves on fire. Something was about to go horribly wrong. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.
When Hiei was finally in the circle, as far away from me as he could get in such a confined space, my sister spoke.
"When the vortex opens you will be sucked in. Under no circumstance are you to let go of each other."
I stared at her, horrified. I would have to hold onto the boys? She had to be joking.
"If one of you strays, if the connection of your bodies is broken, the person could end up anywhere."
Well that was just fucking super.
"This is my final warning. Do not let go of each other!"
From there everything happened in a great rush. My uncle fed Hitomi his power and runes that were so similar to my own when using Chronos appeared on her forehead and hands. She knelt, placing her hands on the outer ring of the circle. She began to chant, the words foreign to my ears but beautiful. I reached for Yusuke's and Hiei's hands.
Yusuke gripped mine but Hiei…
I wouldn't allow his male pride to get us killed. I snatched up the corner of his cloak and held it in a fist. He didn't growl as I'd expected - in fact he didn't react at all.
The chanting reached a crescendo, my uncle's and Hitomi's powers swirling around us. The blood circle glowed a bright florescent green...and then a giant maw opened up below our feet.
I think I might have screamed. There was no time for a final word, no time to even prepare for the fall.
But there was no fall. We were sucked in. Bright colors and images flew by too fast to see. It made my stomach churn. The vortex pulled with a mighty strength, whipping our bodies around violently. I was so focused on not upchucking that I didn't realize that my sweaty palm was slipping from Yusuke's hand.
My mouth opened in a yell but the sound was sucked straight out, lost to the void. Yusuke was silently screaming too, trying to hold onto me with all his might. But the strength of the vortex was too much for even him. My hand slipped from his fingers. I saw his mouth form a vulgar word. But as I was pulled away from him I was happy to see he'd at least kept a hold of Hiei.
The piece of his cloak I'd grabbed onto had torn off. I was sure it must have happened as soon as we'd been pulled in. I hadn't noticed. What the hell was I thinking?! I should have grabbed his arm or any other appendage that was actually attached to him!
Before I could so much as breathe I was taken from them.
The last thing I saw before I was hurled away were Hiei's wild eyes and hands that grasped for nothing.
. . .
I awoke on a snow covered forest floor. I don't know how long I'd been there. But could remember how I was spit from the great maw of the vortex.
It hadn't been pretty.
I had come rushing out into open air and then like the dead weight that I was, I had dropped like a sack of rocks. That's when I'd crashed through the treetops of the snow covered forest. I must have broken every branch on the way down and made a god awful racket in the process. But that was what had inevitably saved my life.
I sat up, tasting the cold tang of copper in my mouth. I swished the blood around then spit it to the ground. I was in a lot of pain.
My left shoulder was dislocated and I had several lacerations on my face and legs. My arms had been saved thanks to my jacket. But my pants hadn't fared so well. I should just be thankful nothing was broken.
I rose from the ground and took a few ginger steps forward. My pack was missing…
I found it a few feet away, stuck on a low hanging branch of a nearby tree. It was a painstaking task to retrieve it but I refused to leave without it. I had no idea where I was and I new better than to call out for help.
If Hiei and Yusuke were close by I would find them. If they weren't...I needed all the help I could get.
Once I'd rescued my pack I'd decided to go through the suffering of trying to realign my shoulder. But I was never given the chance.
Night was falling...and the scent of my freshly spilled blood had attracted some attention.
The sound of twigs snapping was my first clue. Then came the snarls...and the smell of carrion. The air here was thick with it...but this was so much worse somehow. The glowing eyes, too many for them to be normal beasts, alerted me to the fact I was surrounded.
With my busted arm I had no way to draw my bow. I reached for the sword my uncle had given me. I swore when I discovered it missing.
As the beasts drew in a round me, my heart racing, I produced a single arrow in my good hand.
I hadn't even started my mission…
And I was already a dead woman.
. . .
A/N: LOL, aren't you so excited the queen of cliffhangers is back?! I'm sure some people will hate this chapter. Kasumi wasn't exactly virtuous or loyal here. But she's going through a lot of shit. Next chapter is in Hiei's POV, be looking forward to it! Thanks for reading!