Story Title: Consumed by Hellfire
Disclaimer: I don't own YYH.
Author's Notes: Been awhile since the last update, hasn't it? Well, it's summer vacation for me now, so I have plenty of time to write. Now, to the update!
Chapter Nine: Die Young, Leave A Pretty Corpse
Even streaks of rain pinged against the gatekeepers' metal armor as they turned the screeching metal handles and eventually closed the stiff, heavy gates. The two demons returned to the cover of a leaky straw roof atop the gate wall. This pathetic, makeshift roof was the most their town lord could sacrifice for them. They'd fix it themselves in the morning. A small silver flask passed from hand to hand. The aged green liquor singed their throats and awakened their cold, tired bodies.
"Think we just sold out?" the younger guard turned to the other guard, an old gray rat demon. He was referring to how easily they let three hooded strangers pass into Medria. The night and poor weather hid their faces and provided little clues to where these demons were from. Their clothes did reek of smoke and ash, but that was all they could figure out.
"No, boy. That's Lord Honoo's seal. There's not much we can do to keep the gates closed from him. Heh, I wonder what dug that skeleton from his grave?" The old demon wheezed a chuckle and nudged the boy in the side.
The younger guard took another drink from the flask and stared hard at where the three horses had traveled. "Boy, did I ever tell you about my days in Lord Honoo's army?" Even though he had heard the stories before, the younger guard said no. After all, those exaggerated stories were probably the last pride the old demon had. He drained the rest of the flask as a steady drip tapped on his helmet and the old guard, flushed with drink and pride, spouted his first tale.
The Dry Whore was Medria's only tavern for one simple reason. Anytime a new one opened, the Whore's owner would pay a visit with his handful of workers and faithful patrons and challenge the owners to a little fight. Winner-takes-all, of course. With the seven sun-dried heads mounted on the walls, it was assured The Dry Whore would remain the only tavern in Medria.
He stood behind the bar and watched the three men as they spoke to the town lord. Didn't like how they looked and didn't like them in his bar, but the lord wanted to listen to them. Shit, it was his bar. He should have full right to kick anyone out if he wanted. Not like he needed their business—they could keep their gold and get the hell out of town for all he cared. They were ruining his business. The Whore had been filled with raucous chatter and music. The mix of sweat, tobacco smoke, and warm beer was in the air, but it just wasn't the same. Candle flames sitting on their wicks stood still in the dim light. Demons sat silent at dirty wooden tables. Everyone was watching Medria's lord read the messenger's proclamation to himself.
"So as you can see, Lord Honoo is presenting you a gracious offer," the dark hooded messenger hissed. He stood with his shoulders squared and massaged his hands. "I am sure a wise leader as yourself will make an equally wise choice."
The old snake demon scratched his jaw against the chair post. Dull gray scales flaked off and rested in the wood grains. He gave a long orange-gold stare to the parchment laying on one of his four thick coils. Honoo's lengthy, eloquent offer basically narrowed down to the old "join me or die" he had experienced before. Of course back then, he was a younger, rash demon with more fire in the bones. Now, he was lucky if he didn't break a bone slithering out of bed. It didn't take long for the lord to make his choice.
"Well, messenger, as you can see I am a very old demon. I have seen much in my days and now with the knowledge I have acquired from the past," the lord rocked his head as he spoke. "I have come to the decision that Medria shall provide her forces to the coming of this new age."
Underneath the hood, the messenger smiled. "You are indeed a wise—", the demon spat a sudden bark of pain and fell to the ground in front of the lord's seat. The lord rose in surprise and flicked his tongue rapidly.
The tall demon with a blue mohawk gave a lopsided smile. Eh, old man, don't fall off your chair and die, Chuu thought as he cracked his knuckles. It was just a tap. His brains were still in his skull. "Well, sorry there, my fist slipped."
Five demons rose from their corner table and stood behind Chuu. Like the messengers, they were foreigners. Two of them the town lord knew only through the chatter from other lords. They were Shinobi of the Spirit World, but as for their names, the lord didn't know. These strangers were quite a hodgepodge group, even had a kid with them. Coiling into a strike position and flicking his tongue, the lord sensed their spirit energy. Just as he thought, he was no chance. He had to hope that his people would come to his aid.
No chance on that either.
"So what's this about giving up before the first punch is ever thrown?" Jin looked around at the hard-faced demons staring back at him. He whistled in slight amazement. Was this really the same bar? All those smiles singing and laughing earlier were dour frowns and hateful stares now. Maybe this was really how they felt, just didn't have the voice. "The way I'm lookin' I don't see a single soul just ready to lay down in their graves just yet."
"So, is Jin right?" Touya asked to the whole tavern as he wove around tables. For his own judgment, the ice master tested the crowd with a simple gesture. The brave ones didn't avert their eyes from his unyielding, aloof stare. As he past, only a few looked down. Good, Jin was correct. "Does your lord's decision match your own? Or would any of you like to say something?"
"Young shinobi, as the leader of Medria, I order you to sit and enjoy yourself during your stay, but no more of arousing heresy. It is my duty to make such critical decisions for the good of Medria, not for the common people."
Suzuki narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, "However, when the lives of the common people are concerned, don't you believe it would be common sense to consult their opinion?" A low grumble grew among the crowd as they talked and nodded their heads.
"It doesn't matter, " the fallen messenger was rising to his knees, "He has already made his—" Chuu kicked him in his stomach and held his head down with his boot.
"Ah, enough out of you," he grinned and chuckled.
The two standing messengers drew their short swords. As they swung their arms back, each demon was knocked in the face with a flying object. Writhing and struggling, they couldn't break from Rinku's strings as the yo-yos tied them up and they fell to the floor.
"So everyone okay with you determining whether they live or die?" the boy mischievously watched demons in the crowd shake their heads.
Shishiwakamaru crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes," These demons don't even have the courage to rise against this feeble corpse. They're unsuited for war."
The tavern owner had heard enough. Slamming his fists against the countertop, attentions drew to him. "Unsuited, are we? I'd like you to come over here and say that to me again. Been lookin' for my eighth head for the wall."
Shishiwakamaru ignored him. "I can't speak for everyone, but I want to fight for our town. I don't like it when people come in and try to change things. Medria has to stay the way it is."
"Eh? Really?" Jin's ears twitched lightly, "Glad to know there's some fire in the bones. Goes against all there is to being a demon if we sit around and do nothin'." He walked up and snatched the paper from the lord's seat. "Looks like we got a little invitation into this war. Be a little rude if we don't show up, I'd say. "
"The former kings, Yomi and Mukuro, have recently died," Suzuki told the tavern, "Smaller towns like yours are collapsing under the army's rule. Now is a time of panic and confusion in Makai. Many territories still remain loyal to the old regime under the Three Kings and refuse to listen to King Enki. Now with the sweep of this new army, cities and their lords are just looking for stability and order during this chaotic time, so they eagerly fall to this rising power. Unless Makai can come together and stay unified, this army will succeed and conquer."
The messenger squirmed underneath Chuu's boot," Listen up. Sure not many demons like Enki's rule on humans, but think what your life will be under this new King. Humans might be free rein, but there's not much you can do when you're dead."
"You have to fight to keep what you hold dear yours," the crowd's eyes shifted to Touya, "Makai has to stand together to protect itself."
"We're ready to fight. How about you?" Rinku added.
"Hmp." Shishiwakamaru smirked and turned his head, "There isn't a warrior among them. All of you, go home. We're wasting our time here."
Throughout the tavern, demons rose from their seats. Jin's ears twitched faster. The Whore's owner smiled and crossed his arms over his chest, "We're fighting with you. So suck it, pretty boy."
His boots lightly tapped on the flagstone floor as he walked down the curved hall. With each spew of the lava, his shadow flickered on the wall. Hiei stared forward and ignored the burning landscape through the high, cathedral windows. Kurama needed to escape—no doubt about that. Hiei had spent the evening, if it even had been evening, thinking about possible escape plans instead of sleeping. If one or any of them could work, the only way to know was to try. Was it worth the risk though? The simplest plan generally boiled down to Hiei killing the guard and unlocking Kurama's cell and chains, then guiding him through the halls and, at least, out the castle gates. It was simple, too simple. Even with the best of planning, something would go wrong. Then, both of them would be in danger. Besides, Kurama had already said he wasn't leaving without him. And Hiei wasn't leaving for any reason. Arguing with him would only stall the escape.
"Stubborn fox," Hiei mumbled low in the silence. But Kurama wasn't stupid. Kurama would understand that he needed to leave for his own safety and that this was the only chance he would get. Surely, he wouldn't stay and jeopardize his own life just to make sure Hiei escaped alive as well. Odd footsteps grew louder ahead. Momentarily, Hiei peered up.
"Hello, Prince," Hanabi called from the end of the hall. The strange noise had been her wooden geta tapping on the stone. With her arms stuffed inside her rust-colored kimono sleeves over her chest, she looked like a plank as she walked poised and straight. Hiei cautiously watched her. Her eyes had yet to part from his gaze as well. The air hung thick and stagnated around them.
Is that all you can do, Hiei? Hanabi thought and smirked. Scowl and growl at me. I get that you hate me already. You don't really have a reason. I was just following orders when I captured you. And as for the rest, well…a sense of humor wouldn't kill you.
Hiei hoped she would just walk past and ignore him. As their paths began to cross, exactly the opposite occurred. She stopped. Instead of continuing on, Hiei stopped as well. "Prince, would you come with me? The King has ordered a brief meeting to inform you of some developments."
He raised an eyebrow, "What developments?"
She continued walking. "I'm just the messenger." Hanabi looked over her shoulder and smiled. Hiei noted the slight slyness in her eyes and grin. Begrudgingly, he sighed and followed her. At least, it would be brief. Hopefully bearable too.
You write me off as a fool, don't you? The back of Hanabi's neck reddened as she widened the distance between them. I don't understand why what I have been doing isn't breaking you. It's never taken this long for any man, demon or human, and you're no different. I've been subtle, been direct, and generally, I've been quite nice to you. Only a little have I played dirty.
Her clenched fists shook inside her kimono sleeves. The way you look at me…isn't the same as the way you look at that prisoner. Think I haven't been watching? Or that I don't have the intellect to figure what's going through your head? The King has no idea, does he? Well, that can certainly be arranged, my dear Prince.
So…is that enough to break you?
Hanabi grabbed the doorknob and looked over her shoulder to Hiei, "The meeting is in here."
Two steps into the room, Hiei knew Hanabi was lying. Never should have followed her in the first place. Of course, doing anything with her involved was against his better judgment. Beside him, no one was in the dark narrow chamber as she closed the door behind her, leaving it slightly ajar. Hiei thought he could vanish with his speed and escape, but she cast a fire barrier with her fans on the doorway. The doorframe filled with an orange-red light as her spirit energy in the form of flames danced inside the rectangular wall of energy.
"Hanabi…" Hiei growled and drew his sword. "Release me."
The light from the doorway cast a bright aura around her head and shoulders as she smiled sweetly and stepped toward him. Hanabi cocked her head to the side, "Hiei, has your stomach wound healed?"
He did not reply. Charging forward, his sword sliced across her chest. At the last moment, she bent back and only suffered a minor slash. Clutching her wound, Hanabi stumbled back with a scowl on her flustered face. Damn it! What was wrong with him? He wasn't doing anything how it was supposed to be done! Her body convulsed in rage. She threw herself forward and stabbed her clenched fingers into Hiei's stomach. He was pushed to the wall.
"Another move and I'll cook you alive," she spoke through clenched teeth. Her chest rose and fell quickly with her short breaths attempting to calm herself down. At the moment, it was failing. Hiei grimaced and swallowed the pain. Her eyes had grown wide, giving her a crazed expression. "I win…my prince." Chuckling as she leaned down, she kissed him.
He struggled and bit her. "No chance," she snapped back at him, "I'm getting what I want." Hiei knew what that entailed. As if he would really let her get that far though. She leaned to kiss him again. His sword still laid in his grasp. Had she forgotten about it? Perhaps, in her frenzied state, she had. Maybe Hiei should remind her…
"Lady Hanabi?" The sudden voice broke her concentration and the fire barrier collapsed. Sharply turning her head, the General saw a servant standing outside the door. While certainly shocked, the poor boy tried to make as little reaction as possible to seeing Hanabi and Hiei in such a compromising situation. "The King has summoned you."
"Damn it," she muttered bitterly under her breath. Thin tracks of blood ran from his wound as she removed her fingers and wiped them on the stone wall. Sliding his back down the wall, Hiei watched her leave with the servant, bowing and apologizing to Hanabi. With each quick breath, pain jolted through his fresh injury. Hiei laid his hand on it and cursed. The block on his spirit energy…he couldn't heal this wound. While this certainly wasn't the time to gather new scars, at least it wasn't too deep. So long as he didn't strain himself, it should heal relatively soon on its own. While his mind ran through his options of what to do next, his body took over and forced his body to rest.
The King stood with his back turned to her as Hanabi bowed on one knee. Flaring his nostrils, smoke wisped in the air while he pretended to be focused on the map stretched out on the wall before him. Of course, he wasn't looking at the map. Right now, the King diverted his attention so he didn't have to look at her. He didn't want to end up killing her for her incompetence.
After several minutes of silence, the King spoke. "I smell blood," he said matter-of-factly. Where Hiei's sword had slit, the cloth had stained, droplets wept from her bottom lip, and some of Hiei's blood had dried deep under her fingernails. She might as well be drenched in blood with his senses. "What exactly have you been doing?"
He turned around. Sweat dripped down the side of Hanabi's face in fear of his crazed glare. Her head immediately fell and she pursed her lips. Just stare at the tapestries. Just stare, she told herself. Normally, she could get away with a little playful banter and even calm him down. Now wasn't the time to play, but to beg and hope to leave the room unharmed. She was doubting that.
His General watched his feet pace across the floor. "I'm waging an expansive and complex war across three vast lands in purpose to take all. There are four armies traveling across Makai, seizing key cities and ports, and sacrificing their lives for me. Three of my Generals are performing their duties well to my standards," his voice seemed to be everywhere in this rounded castle tower.
"Forgive me, my King, if my services to you appear to have slackened. However, know that my loyalty is still unwavering to you," Hopefully, that would be enough to satisfy him.
The King lifted her by the neck above him and forced her to lock eyes with him. Blood drained from her terrified face. She had suffered his wrath before, but nothing like this. Her body went limp. Bringing his face close, she watched as his nostrils flared and constricted. He was smelling her. Hanabi closed her eyes. No…no…chanted in her mind, but she knew she was caught.
"During a time I need all my forces ready at my command…" the King paused. Slowly his face reddened. His cheeks quivered in rage. "You're trying to fuck my son."
Hanabi winced and averted her gaze. No words would make this any better. And what was there to explain? Nothing. The King knew exactly what was going on. Lying would only make it worse. The muscles in his hands tightened slightly.
And then, just as she thought he would choke her, the King dropped her. "Your armor and fan have been repaired for a few days now." She peered up at him, rubbed her neck, and caught her breath. "Get them. Get out of my sight. Kill Enki. Those are my orders."
Hanabi nodded. Such a relief. Without another word, she departed. The King returned to staring at the map and looked over to his progress. She's lucky her usefulness outweighs her faults, he thought, or she would have died years ago. The King shook his head in disappointment. Hanabi was better at being his harem girl than one of his Generals. Maybe she should have stayed in the harem.
Chains and shackles rustled and clanked as Kurama pulled himself from the floor and rested against the cell wall. Hiei was right. He had to get out of here soon. Still he barely had the energy to stand thanks once again to Maki. Evading castle guards and trekking across the Land of Fire just wasn't a possibility right now. If things go as planned though, that option just might open up to him. At least, he hoped.
A lighthearted whistle grew louder as it came closer. Kurama was familiar with the song by now. It signaled one thing. Maki was coming. At least he's prompt, Kurama thought. He had memorized the General's habits and routine by watching him each time he entered his cell. Some things he noticed quickly. Maki never left the key in the door. It was always placed inside his robes on the left side. Just as he had done before, Maki entered the cell, placed the key away, and stood a few feet away from Kurama.
Of course, next came the friendly chat in his pattern. "You seem awfully cheerful this morning?" the tone of voice and the manner in how Maki stood and looked marked his suspicion. Something wasn't right, the General could sense. Whether in the air or in his bones, he just knew. Kurama was up to something.
"Maybe I've gone delirious," Kurama joked.
Maki wasn't laughing. His expression became more serious. "I can't see you going insane. Conditions like this would only make you more cunning." Kurama didn't make any physical response.
But you don't have any spirit energy…Maki thought. I'm being foolish. You can't use a plant with such dismal levels of energy. I've giving you too much credit. You're incredible, your past proves that, but you can't do miracles.
As always, Maki approached him slowly as Kurama watched him. Why…why am I hesitating then? There's nothing wrong.
Maki pooled his courage, leaned down, and laid his hands on his skin. The fox winced and arched his back as the fire drained all of his energy. It was the same reaction as always. Nothing new. Maki smiled in relief and closed his eyes. He had been a fool to think Kurama had anything planned. The General was just overanalyzing the boy. As he pulled his hands away, Maki felt his arms tug. His eyes flung open. Kurama had a tight grip on his wrists. Heartbeats drummed rapidly inside Maki's chest. He jerked and ordered him to let him go. Without a word, the fox boy refused.
This…this can't be. He can't do anything, Maki reasoned in his mind. He doesn't have any spirit energy! Just messing with me, trying to scare me, that's all he can do.
While he thought and stared at the dripping ceiling, a deep pain rushed through his body. Something thick pierced his wrist's tender flesh and Maki watched the snaking tubes course up his arms underneath his raised skin.
"What is this? This isn't a plant," fear raised the General's voice to a high pitch. He whimpered in pain and terror. "You can't control your plants." Kurama merely watched him. Maki had easily fallen into hysteria. He was unnecessarily jerking and writhing, causing himself more damage. Probably already spreading the poison.
"I'm sorry, Maki, that you believed I was incapable of summoning a plant, but as you are experiencing, I indeed can." A single sweat drop rolled down Maki's face. "Of course, you only thought that what little energy I retained each day was being used to heal myself. Though that part was true, I was also storing energy inside these seeds. The seeds of the Tennojihi plant."
"The Tennojihi?"
Kurama was slightly surprised that Maki seemed to be familiar with the name. "To be more specific, it's the Makai cousin to the Reikai Tennojihi. They look almost the same, but they have key differential properties." Long stems and thin green branches with heart-shaped leaves wrapped around Kurama's arms and through his hair. "The Reikai cousin is a universal cure-all commonly used to boost energy."
Maki's scream interrupted Kurama's explanation. It honestly felt like his body was burning from the inside. His mind kept throwing him the image and sound of cold water cracking and boiling after dripping onto a hot surface—that sensation was inside his body. The plant had fully rooted itself inside him and slowly was siphoning his spirit energy.
"The flowers of the Makai Tennojihi works just like the Reikai cousin, except its parasitic roots drain energy," Kurama explained as the small buds bloomed around him. Its sparkling pollen wisped in the air and replenished Kurama's energy.
The General fell nearby to the ground and didn't move. Perhaps he couldn't. Kurama unlocked the shackles on his arms and legs and finally stood on his feet. Carefully stepping over Maki's body, he opened the cell door. It was a shame. Maki was an intelligent demon with a skill worth preserving. But it was his own fault that now he was whining and crying in pain on the dungeon floor. Kurama paused and looked back at him over his shoulder. The roots just living in his body wouldn't kill him, but Maki surely didn't know that. He would try to remove them. The roots would then secrete its milky poison and kill him in minutes. If it hadn't already began. What a shame.
Kurama left the door open. The guard Hiei mentioned was not there. The easy part was over. Escaping was another game entirely.
Hiei awoke startled at where he was. It didn't make sense. It had to be a dream. He sat up in the bed and looked around Kurama's bedroom. And it really was Kurama's bedroom. The desk, the bookcase, the bed, everything was the same. Hiei raised his shirt, but his wounds were gone. The pain was gone. But he had just been in the castle. Hanabi had just left and before she tricked him, he was going visit Kurama.
Kurama! Hiei wondered if he was okay. He had to still be in the dungeon. So many questions and thoughts flew through his mind. Probably why he getting a headache.
Hiei saw the doorknob turn and heard the lock's tumbler fall into place. Slowly it opened as Kurama entered. "Oh, I woke you, didn't I?"
This was a dream then. Couldn't be anything but a dream. Kurama was fine. The door was closed. Hiei sat staring in amazement. The headache intensified. Images of him in the dungeon, bloodied and barely able to move conflicted with the healthy boy in front of him.
"Hiei?"
He snapped from his daze. Hiei shook his head no, "Oh. I was awake."
"I've been thinking about moving out. To my own apartment," he sat down on the bed next to Hiei. "It's time. So this weekend, I'll be busy in the day with appointments to see some places. I'm hoping the one on Nishigawa Street is nice. Soon as I get settled, I'll show you the place."
Hiei didn't reply. He was barely listening. Had everything been a dream? Just one continuous nightmare? It was too real, too lucid. Sitting here felt fake to him. He guessed going through something like that would make reality feel fake. Hiei sighed in relief. It was over. Kurama was safe. There was nothing out there. Life could go back to normal. And it was all a bad dream, a creation of the combination of his fucked-up mind and the side effects of Kurama's herbal tea.
"It's too dark in here," Kurama pulled the drawstring to the blinds. Hiei's eyes widened. Outside was a scene of gurgling geysers of lava, molten land, and in the distance, a tall black castle. The King's castle. So this was a dream. Which meant, the King…Hanabi…were real, and Kurama was still imprisoned. Hiei had to get out of this. There was no time to waste.
"Ah, nice weather. We're going to have good weather all week. How about we go on a picnic tomorrow?" Kurama turned to Hiei and smiled. "I'll make rice balls. It's easy."
"Kurama, you're not real. This is a dream. I have to wake up. You have to get out of the dungeons."
Kurama nodded as he pulled a white sheet from his bed and wrapped it around himself. "I'm cold. Are you cold?" Was he even listening to Hiei?
The fox boy lay down beside Hiei and shivered. Even though he wasn't real, Hiei still felt for him. Wrapping his arms around him, he tried to warm him. Slowly his shaking stilled, but he still felt cold. Hiei held on tighter. Where were the winter quilts? Why couldn't he force himself awake like usual?
"Hiei, I'm cold. It's really cold here. I'm…" Hiei looked up when Kurama quit talking. With his eyes closed, he looked like he was sleeping. His face was a little pale and, in fact, felt cold to Hiei's hand. Kurama wasn't okay. In the castle or here. As his skin slowly turned a pale blue-gray, Hiei stared stunned. Kurama…he looked like a….
He looked like a corpse.
"Kurama…" Hiei spoke aloud as he awoke on the floor still in the small dark chamber. Though pain surged through his stomach, Hiei forced himself to stand. With his hand protectively clutching his reopened stomach wound, he steadily walked down the hall as soldiers marched hurriedly past. More and more soldiers kept passing Hiei. Grabbing one of the guards as he passed, Hiei demanded to know what was going on.
"Ah, my lord, General Maki has fallen and the prisoner has escaped."
What? Kurama managed to escape? Yet, part of him wasn't surprised at this. But for once, Hiei wished the fox hadn't figured out a way and instead waited for him to help him. Pushing the guard out of his way, Hiei raced toward the dungeons, leaving a trail of tiny blood droplets in his invisible path. The soldier was right. Kurama's cell was empty. Maki's body had been promptly removed. Tired and aching, Hiei slowly shuffled into the cell and picked up the small cluster of frail golden flowers off the floor.
"Protect the golden flower…" Hiei stared at where Kurama had laid shackled. He didn't understand what Haruka meant by it before. Now it seemed too obvious. So far, he was failing at that too. She had been right about everything else. Clenching the flowers in his hand, Hiei left the dungeons and raced to find Kurama. Wherever he may be. And hopefully, he would be the first to find him.
Grunting and groaning, Haruka slowly climbed the ladder to the top of her hut. Raising and sliding the single stone tile, she poked her head out and checked for any monsters. Clear. She sat on the edge and dangled her legs in the roof opening. Taking in a deep breath of cool, clean air, Haruka looked around. The night sky was clear and star-studded, and for once, the sandstorms had subsided completely. Still this peace did not comfort her. In fact, because the sandstorms had subsided completely, it only gave her more cause for alarm. Above all of nature's warning signs, the worst was that her crystal now refused to tell her anything anymore. Nothing. She tried many times. The crystal always turned black. Haruka nervously rubbed her arms and neck, making her jewelry sway and clank together. Maybe that was the future…that there was no future. Haruka sighed as she looked at Gentou, clanking and dancing around her, and then at the sky. She wondered how that fire demon was doing. How far did he get on his journey? Did he even follow her words? Maybe he was dead. Haruka couldn't know for sure.
She was certain of one thing. Grabbing Gentou and resting her chin on his top, she peered out into the sandy horizon.
"It all ends soon," she whispered.
And everything was fading into shadow…
–end chapter
Author's Notes: A little random fact, Tennojihi literally translates to Heaven's Mercy in Japanese. Kind of ironic… Anyway, this is a nice place to stop, so I will. Hmm…so I wonder if this counts as a cliffhanger…