I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of the characters that appear in that show/manga. But I do own Kelly, Heru, and any other random OC.
Chapter 4: Memories of the Past and the Present
"Do any of you even know what this Yume looks like? Or what sort of power she wields?" Yusuke grumbled to his team.
"Koenma previously briefed us on her description, and the type of power she brandishes," Kurama reminded his visibly irritated companion.
"What? When?"
"Yusuke!" Botan shouted, "Let's just get going. We can go over it again on the way."
"I agree," Kelly looked over her shoulder, "Besides this place is starting to freak me out."
It has been about four hours since the group started their journey. Kelly and Botan had started out in the front of the band, but by this time Kelly had fallen to the back with Kuronue. It had been a couple of hours since Botan finished her briefing, and no one had spoken since then. Kelly did not mind the silence in and of itself, but the heaviness that hung over them was almost suffocating.
Another hour passed before Kelly decided the silence needed to be broken. She may have been forced to come along on this journey, but she did not have to allow this tension to stand.
"Can we rest? We have been walking for hours, and I don't think I can go much further," Kelly spoke up from the back as she started to slow down her pace.
"I don't think it best to stop in the open. It's too dangerous," Botan answered as she glimpsed back to Kelly.
"There should be a palace someplace nearby that we can rest at," Kuronue declared with a sideways glance back to Kelly.
"Then come on!" Kelly decreed as she took off passed the group.
"Kelly! There are demons around!" Kuronue warned as he took off after her.
Kurama immediately followed suit while the others watched the trio run into the horizon.
"Can't I just go home?" Yusuke sighed.
"No way!" Botan scolded as she grabbed onto Yusuke's ear and chased after the three with Kuwabara shortly behind her.
Within twenty minutes, and with Kuronue in the lead, the group reached a stone palace. Or what could have been once considered a palace. Sand covered a good portion of the base. Corrosion did its part in an attempt to return this ancient building to nature. Quite a bit of stone was cracked and others were just laid out on the ground.
"This wouldn't happen to be the palace you were talking about, would it?" Kelly asked skeptically as she scanned every crack, missing stone, and collapsed pillar.
"The shape of this palace does not surprise me. This place has not been occupied for over four centuries, after all," Kurama replied as he did his own scan of the place.
Kurama and Kuronue walked through the doorway and onto the double stone doors that appeared to have been knocked off their hinges.
"What happened to this place?" Kelly inquired as she followed the two demons into the palace.
"The inhabitants deserted the palace as a result of a raid," Kurama informed her as he grew a few Lamp Weeds around the main entrance.
With the help of the new founded light, Kelly could get a decent view of the room. There were royal purple drapes on the walls that looked as if something was slowly eating away at them. A sand covered red carpet was draped over the stairs in the far left corner of the room. The four doors in the entrance hall all had a golden tiger symbol on them that were eroded with time. Even the crumbled railing of the stairs had a glint of gold on it. Remnants of what must have been a banner hung from the top floor railing.
"This place is gorgeous. Why would the people that ransacked this place not take all this stuff?" Kelly probed as the group started down the hallway straight across from the entrance doors.
"All of this is trash compared to the item they held in their possession," Kuronue responded without a glance back to her.
"Is it me or does it seem that those two know an awful lot about this place?" Kuwabara whispered to Yusuke as they walked side by side down the hall.
Finally, the group reached what appeared to have been a dining room. Kurama placed more Lamp Weeds around the room to light the dark space. There were broken pieces of wood that were virtually completely decayed. The drapery in this room was nearly all torn down, and what would have been a table was smashed against the right wall. Debris scattered and covered a good portion of the floor. And, to the disgust of the girls and Kuwabara, there were a few bones scattered among the room.
Kelly grabbed onto Kuronue's arm out of pure reaction as her eyes fell upon the few skeletons. Hiei made himself comfortable in one of the six large windows. Yusuke walked further into the room without hesitation to make himself comfortable on one of the two chairs left intact. Kurama sat contently on the floor beside the window Hiei was in. Kuwabara stayed by the door, and as far away from the skeletons as he could. Kuronue slipped out of Kelly's grasp as Botan came over to her side. He swiftly made his way over to the far left corner of the room.
After several minutes the gang started to relax. Kuwabara, Yusuke, Botan, and Kelly began a light-hearted conversation. At this point, Kurama made his way over to where Kuronue sat, separated from the team as a whole.
Without words or glimpses to each other, Kurama leaned against the wall beside his old partner's side.
Kuronue watched as the small group broke into a minor fit of laughter, "I know you want to ask. It's fine. Go right ahead and ask if you truly want to know, Youko."
"It has been an extensive amount of time since we last saw each other. Many things have changed," Kurama affirmed as he too watched his friends laugh once more.
"Why do you insist on staying in that human form, Youko?"
Kurama smiled at his old partner's straightforward inquiry. He gazed down at Kuronue before he let his arms fall to his side as his guard started to crumble. Kuronue looked up at Kurama to show the fox demon had his full attention.
"It happened a few centuries after our last heist together. I was caught by a bounty hunter and was forced to flee to the Human World. In order to survive, I took refuge in an unborn fetus. So this is a merger, and I am unable to revert back to my demon form."
A soft chuckled escaped Kuronue. This rude response brought Kurama's full attention down to his former companion with a questioning expression. Kuronue stopped his light laughter as Kurama slid down the wall to sit beside him.
Kurama sighed out of defeat, "Go ahead. Inform me as to what is so funny."
"I just never expected you to have been caught by a lonely bounty hunter," Kuronue stared at the floor, "I would have been there. If only I was stronger back then, I could have escaped. Maybe, I could have saved you."
Kuronue wrapped himself in his wings. Kurama knew exactly what this was. Actually, it was a tell that Kuronue was about to shut himself up.
"Even if you could have escaped Spirit World prison, it would have been next to impossible to make your way back to Demon World. Who knows what would have happened to your spirit."
"No, Kurama," Kuronue took a deep breath, "Before Spirit World…I did not die when you left me at our last heist," Kuronue tightened his wings, "I actually lived for another 230 years…as Yume's prisoner."
Kurama's eyes flashed gold as they shrank to slits, his teeth started to bare, and a small growl escaped his throat, "What?"
Kelly, by this time, noticed the two in conversation. A small smile crossed her lips, "I'm glad they are actually talking this out."
"Kurama," Hiei warned from his spot in the window.
Kurama, with some determination, tore his attention away from Kuronue to nod at Hiei. He got to his feet and glanced down at his friend once more. Kuronue slowly let his wings relax before he got to his own feet as well.
"You will have to explain everything when this is all over," Kurama advised before he strolled over to the rest of the group.
Kelly got to her feet and convened with Kuronue towards the middle of the room. She met his guarded glance with a smile.
"Why are you smiling?" Kuronue asked disdainfully, "You're in a rundown palace within a demon-infested world. Just in case you haven't noticed."
With a shrug, Kelly left her answer to the smile she wore. Kuronue's harsh features softened slightly as he continued to gaze down at her.
Kuronue held out his arm, "Let's go. Something is coming."
Kelly grabbed onto his arm without a word or hesitation.
It had been a few hours since the group started their expedition once more. Kelly tried her best to leave Kuronue and Kurama alone. In doing so, she tried to talk to Hiei, who refused to respond or acknowledge her. So, a tad bit reluctantly, she moved on to chat with Botan. Every once in a while, Kelly would glance back to the pair, only to find each and every time they were not even walking near each other.
"How much longer till we get to wherever we are going?" Kuwabara asked for anyone who would answer.
"Like I said before we left, it will take at least two days to get there," Botan huffed as it was obvious half the group did not pay attention to the briefing.
"Two days? Does that mean we are camping?" Kelly whimpered.
"Unless you can find a hotel or village in this wasteland," Kuronue jeered.
Kelly spun around with hands on hip, "Don't get an attitude with me! Whatever happened to the quiet Kuronue that didn't mock me constantly?"
"Don't worry about him, Kelly. I'm sure he's just trying to act cool in front of Kurama," Botan laughed, "It's cute."
"It's actually pretty at night," Kelly cooed as she looked up at the night sky from where she laid on the ground.
"Sure is," Botan agreed from where she laid beside her.
"Hey, Botan. I have been wondering about something for a while, but I wouldn't ask Shuichi or Kuronue. Is this Youko a murderous demon? Or was he just a thief?"
Botan bit her lip and answered with some hesitation, "Youko did what he had to."
"So he did kill other people?"
"Kelly, not all demons are like our three. They are murderous and without shame or honor."
"Three?"
"Yes, Hiei is also a demon."
"Oh…He's not very friendly, is he?"
"It just takes time to get used to his personality."
"That reminds me. Why haven't we seen any demons?"
"I'm not sure. Just consider yourself lucky. It will be for the best if we don't run into any."
Kelly turned her attention from Botan to the stars once more. She could not help but concentrate on the thousands of questions that flooded her mind. When Kelly finally turned back to Botan, she was fast asleep.
"I guess it is pretty late," Kelly whispered to herself.
Kelly sat up and glanced around the campsite – if you could call it that. Everyone was laid out on the ground in a more or less group. From what Kelly could tell Kuwabara was asleep due to the amount of snoring. Yusuke likewise appeared to be asleep. The fire that was started when they first started to settle down was about out.
The night was a beautiful one. The sky was clear, but there did not seem to be as many stars as back home. It was slightly chilly, but comfortable when the wind died down.
After a few minutes, Kelly heard something move behind her. She twirled around on the ground to find Kuronue standing behind her.
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" Kelly apologized as she peered up at him.
"No. Why aren't you asleep? You won't be up to walking in the morning if you don't get some rest," Kuronue indicated as he peered down at her with hard eyes.
"I know. I just can't seem to fall asleep. This place," Kelly took a quick glance around, "is just a bit…different, might be the correct word."
Kuronue sighed softly as he watched Kelly finish her hasty scan of the area. He settled down beside her, his wings wrapped around his body. This brought Kelly's attention back to him. She smiled at his company before she turned her attention back to the stars once more.
Kuronue watched Kelly with her knees curled up to her chest and arms wrapped around her knees. As she paid nothing but the sky any kind of attention, he could tell her gaze was calm and almost distant. This scene brought a smile to Kuronue's lips as he started to laugh softly. The sudden noise in the silent night immediately brought Kelly's eyes to her companion with some confusion.
"What's so funny?" Kelly questioned.
"Just a memory from long ago," Kuronue placed his hands on the ground behind him and stretched out his legs in front of himself, "When I was just a little demon, I was cast out of my village. It had something to do with a curse or some foolishness like that. The villagers were petrified of me.
I remember my mothering crying. She tried to convince the villagers that it was just some silly prophecy. After all, I was only a hundred years old at that point," Kuronue held his pendant in his right hand, "But in the end, I was still cast out. Of course, that was better than the alternative. After all, they did want to execute me."
Kuronue smiled warmly at Kelly. She was the only one, besides Youko, that cared about his past. She sat there in silence while he divulged everything that he had only told one other person.
"So is that why you went back for your pendant the day Yumekisu captured you? Did your mother give it to you?" Kelly inquired as she watched Kuronue hold tightly onto the ruby pendant as he told his story.
"The pendant?" Kuronue looked at the pendant in his right hand, "I've had this pendant for so long that I don't even remember where it came from. But it is very precious to me none the less."
"You must have been lonely without a home, a family, or even friends."
"About two hundred years after I was exiled, I met Youko for the first time."
Kelly flashed a smile, "How did you two meet?"
"Youko caught me right after I stole some food from a merchant. He needed a partner for a heist, and he thought I would have the skill sets to help. I agreed, of course, and after the heist was done we went our separate ways.
I never even gave him a second thought after that. Spent another couple hundred years surviving on my own. Yet, I guess fate had other plans. Two hundred and fifty years after our first encounter, we met up once more. This time, however, it was not for a heist.
I overheard some low-life demons talking about a wannabe thief that was seriously ill. It sounded extraordinarily like that demon I partnered up with so long ago. I went in search of this demon and ended up finding him in a den. He was made immobile by the illness.
This may sound illogical, but I was incapable of letting him die, even though at the time we didn't even know each other's names. We were both relatively young demons back then. So I stayed with him in order to nurse him back to health.
We stayed together for three years after he got better. But, one day I got wind that my home village was under attack. I left Youko in the middle of the night to see for myself whether these rumors were true or not. I got to the village in time to see my mother in the hands of a dog demon and a materializer demon.
I didn't make it in time. I was unable to save her. Despite this, she looked me straight in the eyes, smiled, and mouthed 'I love you'. Heh. Guess she never let go."
It was silent. Kuronue took his gaze from the pendant to Kelly and found her staring at him. Tears streamed down her face.
"What's wrong? What did I say wrong?" Kuronue asked frantically.
Kelly shook her head softly, "Nothing," she wiped her tears away, "You said nothing wrong."
"He watched his mother die right in front of him. Poor guy. That has to be so hard," Kelly thought as she continued to stare into Kuronue's violet eyes.
Kuronue sat up straight with an uneasy expression, "Well…You should get some sleep."
"Yeah…"
Kuronue got to his feet without another word. Kelly stretched her legs out while Kuronue started to walk back to his place near Yusuke.
"Umm…Kuronue?" Kelly whispered as she looked over at him.
Kuronue stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. Kelly turned her head away before she lowered it. Her bangs covered her eyes in shadow. Another moment of silence passed by before she spoke up, "Never mind. Good night."
Kuronue laid on the ground with Yusuke a few yards to his left and Kurama about as far to his right.
A few hours later the sun started to turn the sky a light blue and orange with its first rays. Kurama eyes slowly started to flutter open, even though he was still extremely exhausted. Just as slowly he stretched his arms towards the morning sky. His head rolled to the left to find…
"Kuronue! What the heck are you doing?!" Kurama hollered as he pushed Kuronue's sleeping form from his side.
Kuronue sluggishly stretched his wings as he was forced awake. He tiredly looked to Kurama who was only a few feet away now.
With a yawn, Kuronue asked, "Why are you so close to me?"
"What are you talking about?! You are the one who was right next to me!" Kurama growled as he got to his feet, less than his usual graceful self.
"Yeah, right! I never moved from my spot."
Kelly and Botan were the first ones to wake from the sudden noise with Yusuke shortly behind them. Kelly sat up, looked at towards the squabbling friends, and yawned.
"The sun isn't even all the way up in the sky. Why are you guys yelling?" Kelly asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"Well, I don't care why you guys are fighting, just shut up!" Yusuke ordered as he laid back down and turned onto his side.
"I have to agree with Yusuke," Kelly affirmed as she laid back down as well.
The two continued their quarrel as if Yusuke and Kelly did not say a thing. This caused Kelly to start to get riled up. It only took a moment before…
"I said be quiet! Save your bickering for when the sun is actually up!" Kelly thundered.
This very out of character anger caused everyone to fall silent. Kuwabara was awoken by the resounding command.
"She is actually scary when she's mad," Yusuke stated to Kuwabara as he sat up from where he tried to go back to sleep.
"I'm not angry, okay? Just tired. You guys are worse than Sarah and Tony in the mornings," Kelly explained with eyes closed and curled up into a semi-ball.
Within a moment, she sat up and slowly got to her feet. Everyone watched as she turned to them and smiled the best she could. That one sentence brought her spirit to the brink of breaking. It seemed almost like an entire lifetime ago that she last saw her best friends.
"Well, since everyone is up, we should just start walking again. We do have a long way to go, right?" Kelly started with forced joy.
"Yes," Botan agreed with a slow nod of her head.
The group made sure they have all of their items gathered before the journey started up. Kelly took the lead with Kuwabara and Yusuke. Hiei finally decided to join the group and walked beside Kurama. Botan stayed close to the three at the front, while Kuronue trailed behind the group as a whole.
The scenery started to change discreetly as the party traveled along. The desert sand that the group had grown accustomed to began to be broken up by a tree here and some patches of grass there. Botan explained to everyone, even though it was for the benefit of the humans in the group, that once they hit the Forest of Fools that it would be another half a day walk. Even if that were true, it would take a day to reach the Forest of Fools.
"So what is up with the forest's name?" Kelly inquired to anyone who knew the answer.
"The Forest of Fools is known to cast illusions. Weaker demons get trapped in these illusions and die as a result," Hiei answered melancholy.
Kelly spun her head around to look at Hiei with mouth agape, "That has to be the most I have ever heard you say since I met you, Hiei."
Kurama laughed softly, "Yes. Hiei does tend to do that. I'm guessing he is getting used to you."
Kelly: "That's good, I guess."
Botan: "We shouldn't have a problem with the forest."
Kelly: "I hope not. I do not want to die."
Kuronue: "You would probably scare them away with your looks, anyways."
Kelly: "Hey! That's a horrible thing to say!"
Yusuke and Kuwabara just snickered at Kuronue's comment. Kelly turned to them, fists clenched tight.
Kelly: "Yusuke! Kazuma!"
Botan: "Okay, guys. Stop picking on Kelly. She's new to all this."
Kelly: "Thank you, Botan."
Suddenly, Kurama and Hiei stopped in their tracks and spun around as if ready to attack at any moment. This caused everyone else to stop as well.
In the distance was a shadowy figure. All of them stood there as the figure continued its path towards them. By this time, everyone was on high alert. Botan and Kelly were strategically placed behind the fighters.
The once shadow covered figure was now seen as a young woman. She wore a kind, very friendly smile. The traditional kimono she donned was dark pink with yellow trimming. Her pure sky blue hair matched Botan's perfectly, except that it was braided to the left of her head. Long bangs framed her slim face. This women's gray eyes showed almost hallow compared to the rest of her friendly features. When she got close enough to the group, they noticed that she bore a symbol upon her forehead. An upside-down blue raindrop with three small red circles on either side showed brilliantly in the afternoon sun.
"Hello," greeted the women as she stopped several feet in front of the group.
Kelly reflectively greeted back with her own 'hello' before Kuronue stepped in front of her. This brought Kelly back to where she now resided and realized this young lady could truly be the threat. Kurama took the lead as he was the only one to take a step forward. Kuwabara and Yusuke stood nearest Botan just in case of a battle. Hiei, of course, did not show any interest in this newcomer.
"I did not mean to alarm you," the women started out with a voice as sweet as honey, "I am just in search of someone. May I ask what all of you are doing out in the middle of nowhere? Especially," she looked at Kelly, "with a human girl."
Kuronue nonchalantly made his way through the group and passed Kurama towards the new girl. Without hesitation, he coolly slipped his left arm around the young women's shoulders. He looked down at her, as she was a few inches shorter than he was, with a sly grin and lecherous eyes.
The others watched unfazed, while Kelly unconsciously crossed her arms in front of herself. Kuronue's lips slid into a playful/coy half smirk. This caused Kelly to turn her body and head away from the scene altogether.
"Well," Kuronue started in charming tone, "we happen to be hunting down a horrendous, man-eating demon who has been terrorizing this part of Demon World. You know, to protect beautiful young things like yourself, miss…"
"Sorry, how rude of me. My name is Heru Mizu," Heru introduced herself with a warm smile.
"What an appealing name."
"You don't have to be so straightforward with her, Kuronue," Kelly mumbled harshly under her breath.
Kuronue finally lifted his eyes from Heru at the mention of his name. His eyes immediately landed on the visibly offended Kelly.
Kelly turned back to him with pure rage in her eyes, "You are all over her. What vile person treats a lady like that? Oh, wait, I forgot. You're not even that, are you? No, you are just a lowlife demon who goes around hitting on anything in a skirt!"
"It's okay, human," Heru took a step forward so that Kuronue's arm would fall away, "I'm not interested in him that way. But, sadly, I am going to have to bring him back with me. Him and," Heru looked directly at Kurama with stern eyes and a warm smile, "Youko Kurama, of course."
Kuronue took out his scythe but kept it at his side. Kelly stiffened as she felt an ominous presence start to spark. It was apparent that she was not the only one who felt Heru's power as the others prepared for battle.
"Took your little group long enough. Yes, I have been sent by Lady Kageryu to retrieve these two by any means necessary. So I will let you choose: you can come with me peacefully, or I can just knock you both out and take you," Heru explained with the same warm smile and honey-laced voice.
"Enough talking. Let's just fight. The sooner we get this over with the sooner we can continue on with this stupid mission," Kuronue mouthed off for the group.
"Well enough with me. Truthfully, I was hoping for that answer. I do really want to fight you," Heru admitted as she pulled out some rainbow colored yarn from the sleeve of her kimono.
"What's she going to do? Knit us to death?" Yusuke mocked the less than threatening weapon.
"It is pretty sad," Kuwabara agreed with his own laughter.
Heru pulled the yarn taunt before she whipped it at Yusuke. Where it made contact with Yusuke's left cheek, blood began to flow to the surface through a gash. The others looked on astonished, except Hiei and Kurama.
"Whether it looks silly or non-threatening is not the point. It makes for a very effective weapon when I surround it with my own aura. So, let's beginning," Heru grinned as she purred the invitation of battle.
Kuronue brandished his scythe as Heru commenced with her assault. Immediately, Kelly ran behind Botan in hopes that she would help. Kurama's rosewhip flourished into existence as he joined his old partner in crime. Hiei was right on his heels.
"Kuwabara, stay with the girls!" Yusuke ordered as he dashed off as well.
Heru spun on her heels in time to bock Kurama's attack. She battled with him for only a few seconds before Hiei slashed down at her with his katana. Effortlessly, Heru caught his sword with her right thumb and forefinger.
"I am vastly disappointed in your ragtag group. Personally, I thought you would have put up a better fight," Heru almost pouted as she held off both Kurama and Hiei.
"If you want a challenge, try me!" Kuronue hissed as he ran straight at her with weapon ready.
Heru gave Kuronue a sly smile when he started to bring his scythe down. With a swift flip, Heru kicked the scythe away. This caused the other two warriors to try to keep their balance as their weapons were twisted.
As the fight progressed, dust and dirt gathered in the air. After some time the combatants were basically fighting blind.
Kelly was separated from Botan and Kuwabara and ended up alone in a shroud of dust and debris. Desperately, she stumbled around in an attempt to find the others. Suddenly, something bumped into the back of her. Kelly whipped around, only to find herself face to face with Heru. Heru's arm shot out and gripped tightly onto Kelly's right wrist.
"Let go of me!" demanded Kelly as she tried to get her wrist free.
"It's apparent you have no powers. All you can do is hide behind the others, and hope they protect you. But this time, they may not save you. Well, at least Kuronue won't. Not after what you said.
I would love to just kill you right now. I hate nothing more than a defenseless coward," Heru declared as she finally lost her warm smile to a scowl with sharper than normal fangs.
"Let me go!"
A blue tint surrounded Heru's hand as she gripped even more firmly. Sharp pain engulfed Kelly's wrist as if Heru was about to cut off her hand.
"HELP!" Kelly screamed.
Kuronue and Kurama turned to where the scream came from with a snarl, "Kelly!"
The duo dashed through the thick screen of dust. Kelly grasped Heru's wrist in one last attempt to free herself as the pain grew to be almost unbearable.
"Let her go, Heru," ordered Kurama as he brought his whip down on Heru's arm.
In order to dodge the attack, Heru released Kelly. Kuronue jumped over Kurama and Heru to land in front of Kelly protectively.
"Kelly, are you okay?" Kuronue asked with his full attention on Heru in front of him.
"Yes…" she answered with a trembling voice as she clenched her blood covered wrist.
"Good."
Heru blocked another strike with her yarn. Almost as if she was frozen in place, Kelly watched Kurama and Heru go at each other. Kuronue thwarted the few attacks aimed towards Kelly.
"Kelly, I need you to run. I don't care to where, just get out of here," Kuronue explained to the dazed girl behind him.
Just then the others joined in the fray. Kuronue dashed from Kelly's side in order to assist his new comrades. Yet, despite the direct order, Kelly stood there, fixated on her friends fight for their lives.
Finally, Heru got an opening and immediately took advantage of it. She wrapped her rainbow-colored yarn around Yusuke's right wrist as he stood back to charge his Spirit Gun. Kuwabara tried to slice the yarn with his Spirit Sword, but his sword just bounced off. Heru grabbed another part of the yarn and wrapped it around Kuwabara's sword and up his arm. Kuronue took this chance to try to slash Heru with his scythe. Heru spun 360 degrees in order to wrap her yarn around his scythe and hand with a piece of yarn that was held in her mouth.
This gave Kurama an opening to attack Heru. At the last second, Heru moved her right arm up so the rose whip would wrap around it instead of causing a serious injury. Kurama quickly began to pull in an attempt to cut Heru's arm off.
"It won't work. My aura turns the yarn into something stronger than steel, which also makes a good armor," Heru explained in an almost unintelligible way through her teeth as she let her kimono sleeve slip to show the yarn wrapped around her forearm.
"I never saw them fight before, but surely Koenma wouldn't have sent them here if they weren't good," Kelly thought as she intently watched the battle.
"I thought you Spirit Detectives would have been a better challenge than this," Heru mocked the four trapped in her web.
Hiei ran at Heru with katana drawn. Heru noticed just in time to move enough to only receive a rather deep cut on her left shoulder. Hiei skid to a stop while he turned 180 degrees so he could face Heru. In the process of the turn, Hiei kicked up some dirt particles into the air.
"How could I even think about helping them? Heru's right. I'm just a powerless human. All I can do is just hide behind my friends. I'm so lame!" Kelly scolded herself as tears filled her eyes.
Kurama released his rose whip in order to join his friend. Heru, despite the obvious hindrance, was able to dodge serious injury from the two demons. She never let go of her weapon so the other three could not help in the fight without either the loss of a hand or an entire arm in Kuwabara's case.
Kelly watched as Heru pulled on all three pieces of yarn as she dodged attacks. As a result of this, blood started to pool on the ground from the wounds opened by the constriction. All of this was too much, Kelly could no longer hold back the tears. Her hands rose to her mouth where they came to a rest.
"Why are you doing this? What is the point? STOP IT!" Kelly shrieked the last command as she dropped her hands to her side.
This sudden outcry brought Heru's attention to Kelly, along with everyone else's. Kelly collapsed to the ground on all fours with a continuous stream of tears down her face.
"Just please stop this, Heru," pleaded Kelly through her sobs.
Heru completely turned towards Kelly as she removed the piece of yarn from her mouth. The once excited, happy expression that Heru wore through this whole fight was now completely gone. Absolute fury clouded the delicate features of Heru's face.
"You pathetic, worthless human! If you want me to stop then force me to. Why don't you cease crying like some sort of child, and do something to help your companions? Get to your feet and show them that you are not baggage. Or you can continue to just whimper on the ground like a coward," Heru ordered without any attempt to conceal her temper.
Kelly did not move. Heru watched as even more tears fell from her eyes and mixed with the dirt. With every second that passed, Heru's anger grew exponentially. Swiftly, Heru lassoed a piece of yarn around Kelly's throat. Immediately Kelly sat back on her heels and tried to free herself from the weapon.
"Kelly!" Kurama called out as he rushed Heru with his rose whip.
"Stop!" Heru ordered, "This is unless you want this girl to die."
Kurama stalled in his pursuit as he looked Heru straight in the eyes. The defiance that shined in the fox demon's eyes annoyed Heru. So she slowly pulled her weapon which caused Kelly to cry out in pain. Reluctantly, Kurama lowered his weapon as Hiei decided to rush Heru himself.
When Hiei got a few inches from Kurama, the fox put out his left arm to stop his friend. Hiei, of course, stopped mere centimeters from his comrade's arm. Kurama shook his head slightly and Hiei understood with a scowl.
With a smirk, Heru turned back to Kelly with another light yank. Blood immediately start to flow down the defenseless human's neck. Kelly tried to get her fingers under the yarn so that maybe she could try to rip it off. This only infuriated Heru, who in turn jerked hard enough that the yarn disappeared from the surface of Kelly's skin.