Angel of Darkness
Chapter 6: Ceremony and Crash
--
You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
Kurama journeyed through the dense and vast forests of the Makai. It had only been a month since the first Makai tournament had ended and already things seemed to return to normal, as normal as things got among demons. Though he had promised himself he wouldn't return to Makai until his human life had ended, Kurama couldn't suppress his demon instincts very long, and every so often the fox let himself wander into the deepest, untraceable parts of the Makai forest, where he once lived and played as a young kit. This time, however, the journey was not for pleasure. Kurama searched for a friend's help. Ever since his last meeting with Hiei a week ago in his bedroom, Kurama wanted so much to fulfill Hiei's every desire and dream. In Ningenkai, society would not accept Kurama's plan, but here demons did not care who their mate was, male or female, whoever was strongest and most beautiful. Kurama just hoped she could help him.
Deeper and deeper Kurama stepped into the dark forest where no light shown down from the two red Makai suns, and yet the tree trunks seemed to light his path, glowing with an ethereal light. Finally Kurama stopped at a small clearing. He stood on the edge of the secluded lake which glowed just like the trees. The water was as clear as crystal.
Making sure no one had followed him; Kurama met the eyes of his perfect reflection in the water's still surface. "It's been a long time." A slow, sultry voice arose from the air around him. It made Kurama smile and look up, but saw no one.
"I thought you had forgotten me, Youko Kurama."
There in the center of the lake, sitting on top relaxing and brushing through her long silken white hair, staring down at her reflection. Her feathered wings surrounded her body. Kurama smiled and bowed his head.
"It's good to see you old friend. I'm glad to see you well, Aurora."
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive
The girl giggled, "An immortal like me like me does not know time, and therefore we do not change. You, however, Youko have changed so much I almost didn't recognize you. You were so confident and arrogant, something has tamed you."
"I have been living in Ningenkai as a human." Kurama reasoned, but Aurora simply shook her head, snow white strands waving back and forth, laughing softly, "No, someone has finally tamed that wild fox who once claimed no one could tame."
With a faint blush crossing the bridge of his nose, Kurama took a breath. "Aurora, I have a favor to ask of you. As a celestial goddess not bound to the laws of the three worlds, please let my bond to the fire demon, Hiei be accepted. I know you have this power Aurora. I love Hiei. I want to be by his side in every way."
Aurora just giggled as her fingers skimmed daintily across the water's surface creating smooth ripples. Small figurines of beings from Kurama's past formed on top of the water. Aurora laughed as she watched them play out the all adventures they endured in Kurama's memory.
Her gazed heartened a little, "My power cannot work so easily, when a love is one sided." "It's not, I know it!" Kurama blurt out. Aurora's gaze softened as she stood. She could plainly see the sincerity and truth in Kurama's voice. Not even touching the water, the celestial being walked towards red haired fox. Crystalline clear eyes met emerald green, and she saw all she needed. She kissed his cheek. "Kurama, it will take some time, but I want to observe more to see if both of your hearts are true and passionate for each other, only then will I give my blessing."
Kurama released the breath he had been holding and nodded knowing no celestial ever made any decision quickly, "Thank you, my friend."
As life goes by
Romantic dreams will start
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
Hearing his daughter's shout, Kurama could think of nothing else but running after her. All of sudden, he froze as Yusuke's spirit gun nearly grazed him across the shoulder. The blast cut through the forest. It scared away the demons. "Yusuke, why did you do that?" Kurama shouted, turning his glare to his friend. But his gaze fell when he saw the same murderous look within brown eyes. It was a warning shot to the demons. Yusuke was just as upset and worried for his own son's safety. Then acting as their leader as he once was, Yusuke turned on his heel to Kazuma, and commanded, "Kuwabara, Kurama and I are going after the demons. You protect the girls and go back to temple. Keep them safe from there." With that, Yusuke turned back; nodding at Kurama, the two darted through the trees, following the scents of the demons as well as their children. The only thing keeping the fathers sane was knowing that the kids' energy signals were still strong.
Kuwabara urgently ushered the girls to run back to the temple. Halfway there, Yukina gasped aloud. Her own daughter was there, all alone. Her speed increased and she disappeared from the others view. Kuwabara was dumbfounded at this. His wife was nearly as fast as Hiei!
Exiting the forest and into the clearing around the temple, Yukina had to suppress a cry as a few more demons surrounded the temple and were closing in. Just then, the Ice Maiden's energy flared. Her eyes darkened and the ground around her became cold. The demons shivered and turned on her and attacked. But before they reached her, multiple subzero wave blasts hit their bodies and instantly they fell to the ground, frozen solid. However it didn't stop when suddenly the now demon ice statues soon exploded from the inside. Kazuma sliced through a demon coming from behind Yukina as she calmed down her energy, and Keiko ran passed them both into the temple to check on Hinata. Yukina soon followed, while Kazuma stayed outside nearby in case anymore demons decided to try attacking.
--
Rust colored eyes fluttered as she felt her body cringe. A cold chill brushed through her thick hair, like cold fingers. but it was soothing. Kamisori hummed contently, ignoring the pain in her head from the blow she received earlier. Her small body snuggled into the soft blanket that covered her. She blinked a few times as her vision began to clear. Sleeping soundly next to her, Yuichi lay cuddled under the same large blanket. Kamisori sighed with relief that her friend was safe. Not moving from the blanket's warmth, her eyes looked around, the two lay in a huge bed of soft black silk. They lay in a small traditional Japanese-style room, and from the window leading to the front yard, it looked to be a temple shrine, just like Temple Genkai. Kamisori glanced upwards expecting to find her father with her head in his lap, and him combing his fingers through her hair. But, her father's fingers weren't cold. The young girl's eyes widened with amazement. Eyes closed, a beautiful young woman was singing a soft tune. Furry golden fox ears peaked from beneath thick chestnut brown hair. "She's very pretty…" Kamisori thought as her vision soon clouded. The song the woman sung flooded through her ears, and within only a few minutes, Kamisori was lulled back to sleep.
--
With weapons ready, Kurama and Yusuke sprinted easily through the forest, following the demons' path. Along the way, they mercilessly cut down every demon that tried to detain them. For hours, they even ran through the city. Kurama was tired of this game of cat and mouse, although he was tempted to transform to Youko, but he couldn't risk it with so many humans around.
After a few hours, and the sun had long since set, they found themselves deep within another dense forest far on the other side of the city, and nearby was a temple, though legend told that it had been abandoned for years. Stories told of it being haunted along with the surrounding dark forest. Kurama cast his whip bringing down another demon hiding in the shadows of the canopy, while Yusuke ruthlessly pounded another into the ground with his own fists. "Kurama," Yusuke called out, "We're getting no where together; we need to split up."
Kurama nodded, though wasn't sure. All he wanted to do was get the children to safety; not fight a war. Just then, he not only sensed Kamisori's presence close by, but also another familiar presence from the opposite direction. It had been so long. Was Kurama ready to face his mate again? "Yusuke, I'm going on ahead to get the children, then we'll meet back at the temple. Be careful!" With a nod from Yusuke, Kurama catapulted the being at the end of his whip several miles into the air and away from them. He then sprinted with a determined drive towards the temple. No one was stopping him!
As soon as Yusuke saw Kurama disappear, a black stream of energy, angry sparks of lightning spiked all around, shot toward Yusuke like a runaway locomotive. The former detective barely dodged it; however the shockwaves were strong enough to send him crashing through two more tree trunks. Shaking off the slight concussion, Yusuke put the pieces together and realized the angry blur was Hiei. Well this explained one question of where Hiei was, but now several new questions surfaced.
"Damn it Hiei!" Yusuke shouted as he narrowly countered Hiei's rapid fiery punches. As usual Hiei was relentless. "Why are you siding with the demons? You're supposed to be our friend!" Yusuke knew trying to talk with Hiei while fighting was impossible, but still he had questions that needed to be answered, but Hiei's onslaught of attacks was getting him no where. "Cool it Hiei! You're destroying innocent lives; an innocent world!" Yusuke grabbed Hiei's ankle stopping it in mid-swing and threw the irate fire demon high into the air.
"I don't care!" Hiei raged, his eyes burning, "I'm combining these two worlds, and there's nothing you, detective, can do to stop me!" He growled as Yusuke's kicked him in the stomach, punching the fire demon down hard enough to leave a crater-like impression in the dirt. "And what about Kurama," Yusuke played his trump glaring darkly down at Hiei. He knew Kurama's feelings were important to Hiei, "How would he feel finding you destroying the world and the people he loves?"
Hiei stood, regaining his balance, breathing heavily. He watched his opponent carefully for Yusuke's next move, but at Kurama's name, his body flinched ever so slightly. His red eyes were glowing like molten lava. In a blink, he had Yusuke fisted by the collar, "Where is he?!"
Yusuke stood his ground firmly, his eyes steeled. "Why should I tell you anything? You would just try and kill him! After all," Yusuke gave a tiny smirk, "He is going to derail your plan even as we speak!"
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
Suddenly, Hiei's head jerked up and he sniffed the air. His normally cold heart jumped into his throat. With a burst of strength, Hiei threw Yusuke aside and the detective skidded across the ground. Holding his head, he winced slightly with pain as brown eyes watched Hiei flit away in Kurama's direction. 'I sure hope this works. Those two lovebirds need to have a talk.'
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, another shadow flitted through the trees, undoubtedly to protect their "lord". Yusuke scrambled to his feet and chased after the demon. He tackled the stranger, but the demon, like all others, was slippery like a snake and slipped from Yusuke's grasp. 'Looks like I've got a challenge here. Be careful, Kurama, and good luck.'
Kurama stood, staring up at the enormous and dark temple. It seemed so serene and quiet under the calm moonlight. However, to one possessing heightened senses could see the place was corrupted with a powerful energy and was flooded with demons. Not wanting to fight, Kurama suppressed his energy so he wouldn't be detected. Suddenly, he felt the familiar energy rapidly gaining distance. He was getting closer, and Kurama's heart flinched. Thinking quickly, he knelt down and his hand touched a nearby root. He fed his energy, and numerous thick trees came together creating a wall between him and Hiei. However, that was not going to stop the fire demon, as the tree wall started to erupt into flames. Charcoal bark began to fall to the ground in lifeless clumps. Seeing this, Kurama willed the neighboring thick vines to wrap themselves around Hiei's legs and arms tightly. The fox could sense Hiei's struggle as the fire demon thrashed about against the bonds. The vines lifted Hiei high into the forest canopy. Hopefully, this would buy him enough time to get the kids and get away. "Kurama!" The red head visibly flinched and reluctantly turned away from Hiei's angry shout. "I'm sorry, Hiei." He whispered, disappearing into the shrine. Hiei's cries still echoed through his mind.
"Kurama!"
And now forever I know
All that I want is to hold you
--
She didn't know how many hours had passed, but as she began to open her eyes again, it was already dark outside. The woman from before was gone, but Kamisori bolted up her rest. Yuichi was not next her like before. Frantically, she looked around. Just then, she heard the shuffling of feet and shouting. That was Yuichi's voice among the garbled strangers' gruff voices! Kamisori threw herself from the bed, and raced into the hall, where she found two strange guys forcibly dragging a struggling Yuichi down the long hall. The strangers didn't even look human. Both of them had long horns on top of their head, and long pointed tails swished behind them.
Her eyes were glowing and her fists clenched. Just as she was about to chase after them, hands caught her wrists. "Calm down young one. It's dangerous to wander." The soft, sultry voice that had sung her to sleep now spoke with urgent warning. "Who are you?!" Kamisori struggled. Even though the woman's hold seemed gentle; she possessed inhuman strength. "Let go of my friend! He didn't do anything to you!"
"He didn't have to do anything…" The woman hugged the girl close as she stroked thick black hair, "It's who he is, but you; however, were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But don't worry, when the ceremony is over. You will be free to go to return to a much better home."
Kamisori continued to try to pull away, "I already found a better home. I don't want anymore changes!" Kamisori still had yet to thank Yuichi for helping her find a much different and better life. She wanted to cry right now. She didn't want to be in anyone's arms except her father's.
After a few minutes, Kamisori stopped her struggle and relaxed looking up at the woman and looked into her pretty green eyes (though they weren't as pretty as her father's). "Can I at least watch the ceremony?" Hopefully, if she said yes, Kamisori could create distraction, and she could get Yuichi away before he got hurt.
Kaijin was about to flatly refuse the girl. No one was allowed in the room except certain demons who gained special permission from Lord Hiei. However, she choked back a gasp, looking upon the girl's face. She looked nearly identical to Lord Hiei. She had the same red jeweled eyes that burned through her very soul that he so often possessed, an ability in which Kaijin could never deny her lord of anything. "Very well," she sighed, "Just stay behind me, and stay quiet."
The two girls stepped into a dark where they followed after the two demons that dragged Yuichi away. Kamisori could not see anything except for a bright glow from the center of the room. On the ground, many intricate symbols were painted on the floor inside a giant circle, and around the outside one of the demons placed several white stones around the edge of the circle. Kamisori's body trembled with worry from behind Kaijin as she watched the other demon carry a sleeping Yuichi in his arms. He set the boy in the middle of the circle and as he left the circle, the last stone was set into place. A barrier of intense dark energy rose up from the circle.
Kamisori wanted, so desperately to help her friend, but couldn't move as Kaijin held her firmly by her shoulders. Her soothing voice whispered like the morning breeze in the girl's ear. "It's too dangerous over there. Stay here, where you are safe."
Kamisori's heart calmed only for a moment but lurched painfully once more as she jerked up her head. Yuichi awoke, screaming in agony, as the energy began to pulse and crackle like lightning, and soon a transparent vision of young white-robed sorceress began to appear in Yuichi's place.
Suddenly, the doors slammed wide open and a long vine whip lashed at the surrounding demons. Kaijin, with Kamisori, slipped further into the shadows. She was not as strong as the other demon warriors in her lord's army, and the intruder felt extremely powerful, nearly equaling that of Lord Hiei.
Kurama attacked the two demons as they tried to block his attempts at reaching the boy. Finally, decapitating them both with one final swing of his thorn whip, Kurama hurried over to the glowing circle. Analyzing it quickly, he realized the stones were actually a barrier keeping any and all demons out. Kurama removed one of the stones and cast it aside. This broke the barrier and the vision of the sorceress faded away. Yuichi collapsed to the floor exhausted. The fox hurried over to the boy. He was barely breathing. Kurama knew he had to get the boy to Yukina, so she could heal the child, but first, Kurama had one more task; to find his own daughter.
"I have to save her! I can't lose her again. She was my gift to Hiei. I made a promise to make Hiei happy and to give him a good and happy life, no matter what it takes! I want to be at Hiei's side forever!"
So close
Meanwhile; outside, the forest battled its own enemy.
"Kurama!"
Hiei still thrashed, his rage was growing while at the same time his flames were growing bigger. They threatened to burn the forest around him. Feeling the vines begin to lose their strength, Hiei used his fire to propel his body upward high above the canopy. Finally free, Hiei withdrew his sword and jumped to a position just above where he sensed the whiff of the fox's energy.
Kurama stood up and moved Yuichi outside of the circle. A few seeds fell from his long hair and scattered around the boy and began to take root. The Makai equivalent to Venus flytrap blossoms would protect Yuichi from anyone who posed a threat to him. Kurama took a breath, but just as he turned on heel to the door which he came through, a sudden crash through the ceiling made Kurama freeze. The being that now stood before him looked ready to kill, with a sharp sword gleaming in the moon's rays which he stood in.
"I have to stop him! No one can ruin my plan, not even my fox. This is my gift, and I won't see it wasted. I made a promise to you, fox, to make you happy. We will be together!"
So close to reaching that famous happy end
"It is time!"
At the same time, deep in another world much more pure and beautiful than any of the three known worlds, a beautiful immortal stood, while crystalline eyes stared down into her enormous silver basin of seemingly calm yet clouded water. The young woman waved her frail and pale hands over the surface and the foggy water began to clear. She smiled, seeing the two in question standing facing each other, weapons in hand and ready to attack. But this did not concern Aurora, for she turned a blind eye to the weapons. All she could hear was their inner thoughts. They were both speaking from their heart, and they were thinking the same thing, as soul mates would. It was all she needed to seal the bond between the lovers. Her feathered wings spread wide. Soft white feathers scattered into the breeze as it created gentle ripples across the mystic water.
Almost believing this was not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
The dark room, which now was illuminated under the bright moonlight due to its new makeshift skylight, around the two former lovers began to disappear as a breeze of white fog clouded the room. Green and red eyes locked with each other and they both became lost within the fog. Their weapons vanished from their hands. The white fog surrounded both of them and when it cleared they stood facing each other again, both in immaculate and beautiful outfits. Kurama's was white with a silver trim and sash, and curled around his waist and chest was an embroidered black dragon, bright ruby eyes stared up at him. Hiei's was a shimmering black opal with a dark red trim and sash, and curled around his waist and chest was an embroidered pearl white fox with sparkling emerald eyes staring up at him.
So far
we are
Everyone and everything around them disappeared, nothing else matter except each other. Feathers fluttered around them like a whirlwind as if in a dream. Neither noticed they were moving closer. It was as if they were floating. Hands were outstretched and reached for the other. Fingers gingerly touched and soon clasped tightly together, not wanting to let go. A golden light twisted like a ribbon and encircled their joined hands tying them together. A beautiful smile caressed their faces as they watched their hands join together, bringing them closer.
so close
Suddenly the whirlwind shifted and pushed them together. A gentle song started to sing and the handsome couple danced, swaying to each beat of the serene melody.
The golden light binding their hands, as they danced, unaware, the light became smaller and separated forming two identical pure gold rings on their ring fingers.
Aurora smiled. The ritual was nearly complete, all that was left was for the dance to end and they would end with an everlasting kiss. All she had to do now was watch the couple within her bubble as it floated above the basin. Suddenly, without warning, the bubble popped. The connection was broken.
How could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
The white fog and feathers retreated as quickly as they appeared. Hiei blinked first as if waking from a dream. He was back in his normal black attire, though made of an elegant silk as a general should look. His katana was back in his hand, prepared for attack. He looked up across the room and there was his fox in their original places, his weapon was in his hand as well. Hiei racked his brain. Was that a dream? But it seemed so real. His gaze returned to Kurama. Something wasn't right. Green eyes, which he remembered sparkled every time he looked into them, were now glazed and unfocused. The fox's arm fell limp at his side and the whip slid from his hand. A pale red rose hit the dark ground.
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy end
And almost believing this was not pretend
Faster than a blink of an eye Hiei caught Kurama as the red haired fox fell to the ground. He held the red head close to his chest, not letting go for anything. His hands were trembling as he urged his fox to wake up. "Fox, open your eyes. Wake up Kurama!" Hiei called out Kurama's name, but it did no use. Kurama didn't stir. Hiei buried his face into the soft red hair, hiding his tears. "Damn it Fox, you have to wake up!" His voice was muffled as he shouted his painful rage into Kurama's thick mane of hair. "You have to wake up; otherwise all my plans will be for nothing! All I wanted was to make you happy fox." His grip became desperately tighter on Kurama. He finally looked up at Kurama and bright red tear gems fell to the ground. "Damn it! I did this for you! I love you Kurama!"
Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
Kamisori watched in confusion from the shadows with Kaijin. As her father stood to face the shorter black-haired demon, she looked at the demon in wonder. He looked just like her, why? Her father would know. She wanted to run to the red head's arms. It was the one place she knew she was safe. However, she couldn't move, for she was held steadfast in the strong grasp of the golden fox woman.
Just then the doors slammed open once again and another demon appeared. Ryuuki ran as fast as he could to help when he heard his superior's angry cries, though he was delayed by the descendent of the late Raizen. Luckily he managed to escape that scuffle and raced toward the shrine. He burst into the room and his gaze turned to one of shock. His lord was faced with a red haired half human, both of their weapons were drawn, but neither one moved. Their eyes seemed lost and clouded. It was as if they were frozen in time.
Ryuuki couldn't take the chance the red head would awake first and attack his unsuspecting fire demon lord.
His electric attack flew straight and true striking the red head in the back. Emerald eyes cleared for a brief moment but became unfocused and rolled back in his head and closed. His whip fell from his limp fingers, and a faded red rose dropped lifelessly to the floor.
Rust eyes filled with tears as she watched helplessly from the sidelines her father fall. In her heart she could feel his energy fading away and fast. No! He couldn't leave her. Not now! Not after living through her life of hell so long without him. She barely even got to know him!
"No! PAPA!"
She cried aloud as her tears escaped and fell. Shimmering with a gold tint, smooth crystalline gems clattered to the floor. Just then something inside her clicked. Her petite fists clenched tightly and embers began sparking at her feet. Suddenly, bright sapphire blue flames rose up around her like twister. Kaijin screamed in fright as she was forced away and roughly thrown against the far wall, falling to the floor unconscious. Kamisori however, screamed out her pain of watching her father die as she stood in the center of the fiery vortex.
Ryuuki turned on his heel, sensing an immense surge of energy flare up behind him. The blue flames began to recede and contained themselves into the girl's hands. The demon took a step backward. This wasn't the same girl as before. Kamisori's breath was hard as her heart felt like stone weighing down her body. It took all her strength just to stand. Black tipped silver fox ears twitched from beneath her black hair and a long black-tipped silver fox tail brushed against the back of her legs. However, none of that registered in the girl's mind as molten red eyes burned, focused intently on her father's killer. With faster reflexes then she ever thought she possessed, Kamisori threw the blue flames from her hands hard and rapid fast at the demon. Ryuuki screamed in pain as a whirlwind of fire engulfed his body, swallowing him whole.
Her fire soon died and her eyes returned to their normal rust color, but the tear gems continued to clack against the floor.
She turned her gaze to her fallen father only to meet shocked ruby eyes. Her vision suddenly became terribly blurred, and though she wanted badly to hug her father one more time, just as she started move her foot, she stumbled. She felt completely drained and light-headed. The last thing she felt as she fell was strong arms wrap around her, catching her, keeping her warm and safe.
So close
Hiei caught the child, and looked at her as she slept. That massive energy she displayed earlier had greatly drained her, but a good long hibernation should help her recover. Hiei's breath, however, hitched as his gazed stopped from roaming over the girl. He took the tear gem in his hand that rested against her chest. It was his tear gem. The one he gave to Kurama. But why did she have it? Why did she look like himself? Hiei looked back at the fallen fox nearby and then back at the girl's sleeping face.
So close
"Who are you?"
And still so far
--
TBC (I swear there is one more chapter and an epilogue, and the pain I put these two in and the rest of you, reviewers will be over!)
Okay, I apologize if Hiei seems a little out of character. I try to keep everyone in relatively normal character in my stories, sometimes it may jump but I usually have good reason. Also I just know I'm going to get a slap in the face by some people for "killing" Kurama. But I will give you this hint, just so none of you worry; I promise this story will have a happy ending!
I do not own the song, which is "So Close" by Jon McLaughlin, it is a beautiful song, and if you haven't seen the Disney movie Enchanted, go see it, the song is in it. And if you haven't already guess, yes I did kind of get the idea for the dance scene from the dance scene in the movie. I couldn't help it!! I needed to see Hiei and Kurama dance together, even it is only in my imagination…sigh
