Yu Yu Hakusho: New Dreams, Old Nightmares
Eeep! I am a wanted criminal! The courthouse didn't get my notice that I couldn't attend jury duty, and now I have a warrant out for my arrest. Yay!
At any rate, it's time for some more action and to advance the plot a bit. I hope you all will like what I have planned for it. It's moving but it might take a while to get there since I'm a perfectionist and I need to rewrite a scene half a dozen times before it comes out the way I want it to.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho but I do own the original characters depicted in this fic. So far those characters are Vanzu, Hana, Otoyo, and Ryominaka. Steal them and die.
New Dreams, Old Nightmares
Chapter Twelve: Expendables
"Ryominaka?" Otoyo said as she leapt from her tree, landing in a crouch beside her.
"Yes?" the older yokai said as she turned to face her eager ward.
"I'm tired of waiting! Can we go yet?"
Ryominaka surveyed the group in front of her. Two dozen yokai of various shapes and sizes made up their ranks, all members of her clan. They all dressed in the same garments, blue tunics with a yellow sash running around their waists. All of them perfectly trained, perfectly ready.
And perfectly expendable.
Ryominaka swiveled her ears, trying to hear anyone or anything that was in the area, interrupting their plans. She placed her hand on Otoyo's shoulder.
"Yes, it's time. Remember, you don't have to kill the target. Just get enough of his blood so that you can absorb his abilities.
Otoyo's eyes brightened, flexing her hand and calling forth a small purple blade of energy at her fingertips.
"Otoyo."
"Hm?"
"Do it in such a way that he won't know, if at all possible. We don't want those idiots in Enki's council or in Reikai to know what we're up to until it's too late."
Otoyo pouted as the blade vanished. "You know I could do it so fast! He wouldn't even know what hit him!"
"You can't use yoki or you'll be hunted down by the other ones we spoke of. Once you get through, proceed to the target as quickly as you can. I'll leave the rest of it up to you. If he suspects anything, then and only then can you use any type of force."
The small chameleon yokai stood up and stretched, a very characteristic move for her. "Yeah, we went over all this already. But why are they coming along too?"
Ryominaka lowered her voice so just the two of them could hear. "Because we're using an established portal and it could be guarded. You must get through. The others are expendable. You aren't. Without you, this entire plan will completely fall through. Use whatever techniques you have at your disposal to make it through that portal, get the job done quick, and get back here. Is that understood?"
She nodded.
Ryominaka smiled. "Good. It won't be long now."
"I just find it hard to believe a ningen could have that type of power."
"Regardless, he does-"
Ryominaka stopped in mid sentence, her ears flattening back as she heard the voice in her head she had been waiting for.
The fools are occupied. Move now, before it's too late.
"Ryominaka?"
She turned towards her troupe, and smiled. "That was the signal. All the idiots are busy at the meeting. Go, now. And remember, we will not lose!"
A resounding chorus of cheers sounded out, before all the yokai disappeared as they phased away, moving at blinding speed.
Ryominaka bent down next to Otoyo. "Otoyo. You have to make it through the portal. Not the others, you. Do you understand what I mean?"
Otoyo smiled with a mischevious twinkle in her eyes. "I'll make sure that I get through. I can't say the same about anyone else..."
The older woman laughed. "Good, now that we understand each other perfectly. Be careful."
Otoyo nodded and vanished herself.
"It's been interesting, I must say," Mukuro said. "Now that I'm not in charge, I have a lot of free time on my hands."
"I have the same blessing," Yomi remarked in turn. "I find myself spending more and more time with Shura these days."
A small group of them had gathered outside the building, enjoying some lighthearted conversation before they would go their own separate ways.
"What about you, Kurama?"
"I've been rather busy myself. I have school and exams coming up I've tried studying my hardest for. I also have my family to look after."
"They sound wonderful, from what you've told me of them, old friend," Yomi said.
"I honestly don't think I would mind seeing Ningenkai again," Mukuro said. "I haven't stepped foot in that realm in centuries, and I'm curious if what you say is true."
"You're not missing much. The stench took months to wash off me," Hiei intoned.
"Be that as it may, I might be able to arrange it for a day or two if you wanted to actually visit Ningenkai," Kurama said.
"I might just take you up on that offer, Kurama," Yomi replied. "A small vacation would be nice before the tournament starts."
"You wouldn't be able to train at all while you were there, you understand."
"I do."
"So Hiei," Kurama said, trying to get him involved in the conversation. "How do you think you'll do in the next tournament?"
"I'm going to crush anyone who gets in my way, of course," he said, the corner of his mouth pulling up into a smile. "And what about you?"
"I don't know. That's what keeps it fun and interesting!"
All of them laughed.
"Hey, guys!" a distant, yet familiar voice sounded out. All of them turned as one to see a figure running up the steps towards them.
"If it isn't Raizen Junior," Mukuro said with a smirk.
Yusuke made it about halfway up the stairs, then decided to jump the rest of the way, landing nimbly in front of his friend.
"You're late, as usual," Hiei said.
"Well, at least I can usually be bothered to show up," he retorted. "Aww, damn! I missed the meeting! I hope I didn't miss anything important."
"Not really," Yomi said. "Just going over some plans for the next tournament."
"I can't wait! Is anyone up for a little sparring?" Yusuke said as he punched his palm.
Kurama took notice that he was acting a little more cheerful than normal.
Hiei took a step forward. "I wouldn't mind the workout."
"You can't, Hiei. We're on patrol, remember?"
"Let those other idiots handle it."
"Are you feeling alright, Yusuke?" Kurama said, a worried tone bleeding into his voice.
"Me? Just had a hard day's night yesterday and wanted to come here and kick some ass!"
"I see," Kurama said, knowing full well it was a lie and why Yusuke was back. Things must have gone horribly wrong with Keiko, if he was back here.
"Well, Hiei's out. How about it, Kurama?"
"Not now, I'm afraid. I have to get back and take care of a few things."
"Well geez, a lot of fun you guys are," Yusuke said, crossing his arms.
"I wouldn't mind going a round or two, Yusuke," Yomi said.
"Alright!" he said, cheering up instantly. Kurama sighed. How wonderful it must be to simply escape your problems that way.
A buzzing sound came from Mukuro's pocket, drawing everyone's attention. She reached in and pulled out a small communicator, holding it up to her ear.
"This is patrol seven-nine-C! We're under attack! We're at portal three-five-seven! Is anyone listening?"
"This is Mukuro. How many are there?"
"At least twenty. We've taken out a few of them but they're really strong and we're losing!"
"Can you hold out until we get there?"
"Maybe another few minutes. They're all wearing the same outfit and their attacks are coordinated. This isn't the typical group of yokai that just want to get through! They have some kind of goal."
"We'll get there as soon as we can. Did you get any of that, Hi-" Mukuro started, turning to find out that Hiei was already gone. She sensed him moving at top speed, already several miles distant.
"Gentlemen, some other time," she said, phasing in turn.
"I have to get back to Ningenkai, now," Kurama said, alarm in his voice. "There's nobody on the other side to stop them if they get through."
"I'll go with you, Kurama," Yusuke said, his sparring match with Yomi forgotten. "Where does that portal come out?"
Kurama thought hard for a few seconds. "The park, I believe."
Yusuke's eyes widened. "That's not good! There are going to be a ton of people there this weekend!"
"I know," Kurama said as he started running down the stairs as fast as he could. Yusuke and Yomi flanked him.
"Hiei should be able to handle most of them," Yusuke said, the wind rushing by his ears.
"That's true, but if even one of them slips through, it could mean trouble."
"Shall we postpone our training until another time, Yusuke?" Yomi said.
"I appreciate the offer of assistance, but please, I am more than capable of handling this on my own. I took down three last night and they hurt a friend of mine."
"Oh?" Yusuke said, leaping over a ditch. "You didn't mention any of that last night!"
"It happened on the way home. I'll tell you about it later! For now, don't worry about me. I can handle this myself."
"Are you sure?" Yusuke said. Yomi refrained from saying anything, knowing that once Kurama made his mind up, there was no changing it.
"Yes." Kurama looked back over his shoulder. "Enjoy your match, and blow off some steam, Yusuke. I know you need to."
Yusuke came to a stop when he said that. Damn, that Kurama is way too perceptive.
Yomi stopped as well. "He'll be alright, don't you think?"
"Ah, whatever. Let him do whatever the hell he wants. Where do you want to go for our little rematch?"
Kurama was already out of sight, and Yomi was intrigued by what he had just said to Yusuke.
Very well, if you need to blow off some steam, I'll be happy to oblige.
Otoyo laughed as she pulled the blade of energy from the chest of the yokai she had just killed. Blood hissed and sputtered on the blade, turning into a dark steam. This was so much fun!
The area around them had become a fierce battle. There were about ten members of the patrol when the twenty-five of them had ambushed it. A few members had taken to the air and were battling the members of her group that could fly, while the rest battled on the ground in a flurry of physical and energy attacks. Seven of the original ten were left, and a few of her own soldiers had fallen as well.
A large explosion ripped through the ground next to her, and she turned to see five of her companions incinerated by the blue shockwave. She threw up a shield around herself to deflect the remaining blast as she saw the source. Up high in the air, Otoyo saw a male yokai, one of Enki's lackeys, his palm extended, breathing heavily as a thin trail of smoke wove its way through his fingers.
That idiot almost hit me! She thought in righteous indignation. As she was figuring out what technique she should use to kill him, a blue blur phased behind him, wrapping a beefy arm around his neck, snapping it instantly. The patrolman went limp, and fell the hundred yards to the ground.
A scream sounded behind her and she turned, seeing another yokai dissolving in a red light. She laughed and jumped up into the air when she saw the victor was on her side.
A quick assessment. Five defenders left. About three times as many in her own group, including her. All five regrouped and formed a small knot on the ground, facing outward at the ring of adversaries around them.
"This will never work!" one of them shouted. "What can we do?"
"We have to hold out until the others get here!"
"What do you suggest?"
It won't matter, Otoyo thought gleefully as she placed her hands together to start a chant.
The ground around the five turned black as she started to speak. For a flash, the area around them was devoid of all colors except for various shades of red and orange.
"What was that?" One of them said. "This strange chill…"
"Focus, damnit!"
Otoyo gained their attention by laughing, her high pitched voice causing them all to look up.
"Welcome to my territory!" she said with a wink.
"Your what?"
"Hey, what the hell? I can't move!" a bloodied woman said in frustration. Cries of struggle sounded out as the group learned indeed that they couldn't move, no matter what they tried.
"It doesn't matter what it is, it just matters that you can't move!"
The ring around the defenders broke out into smiles.
"Now be good dears and try not to hurt them too much when you kill them, okay?"
Kurama was running as fast as he could the way he had come, back towards the portal he entered Makai through. He saw it up ahead, and the group of yokai entrusted with its care. The black void was the size of a door, encased in a shrine that was surrounded by guards. They stopped him as he skidded to a halt in front of them, winded and breathing heavily.
"What's your business?" The guard said.
"There's about to be an attack in Ningenkai. You have to let me through!"
"What do you mean?"
"One of your patrols is being overrun by a different portal. If they fall, they'll attack my home, and I will not let that happen!"
"What patrol is it?" The other guard said, pulling out a communicator from his pocket.
"Seven-nine-C."
The yokai nodded, and spoke into the device. "Seven-nine-C, seven-nine-C, what's your status?"
There was nothing but static on the other end.
"Seven-nine-C, please respond."
Nothing but more static. The two guards turned to Kurama with a look of alarm.
"Hiei and Mukuro are on the way but I'm the only one that can stop them in Ningenkai if any get through!"
The guards nodded, stepping to one side to let Kurama pass. He ran up the stairs and flung himself into the black void without a moment's hesitation.
"Aw, no more?" Otoyo said with a pout. The heap of bodies on the ground was testament to the fact there were no survivors from the patrol. There weren't even any techniques she wanted to absorb.
She landed and straightened her hair with her hand. Her companions were smiling in a perverse glee, glad for the killing.
Mindless oafs, the lot of them.
Now, with nobody to stand in their way, they could easily enter the portal at the end of the short flight of stairs. After that, a quick trip through the pseudospace to a separate portal leading into Ningenkai. Then, to find their target.
"Okay everyone, let's-"
A cold chill started up her spine, stopping her.
A huge amount of yoki approaching. An A-class and an S-class. There was no way she would be able to take either of them on.
Damnit, she had spent too much time here! With them on their way, there would be no way they would all be able to get through.
"Otoyo? What's wrong?" a particularly ugly yokai grunted at her. He had noticed a small bead of sweat on Otoyo's brow, moving down the side of her face to break apart into smaller rivulets that traced the scales on her cheek.
None of them know what's coming…
Without another word, Otoyo shimmered, and suddenly, she was no longer there.
"What? Where did you go?"
Even before he reached it, his sensitive nose picked up on the yokai blood. Hiei was bounding from tree to tree, his skin flushed slightly from the friction with the air. Up ahead, he saw the shrine that housed the portal, and the heap of bodies around it. All of them wore the uniforms of the patrollers. A few of them had on blue tunics, now purple from the blood.
Good. They hadn't started to enter the portal yet, from what he could tell. There were no bloody footprints moving up the stairs, and the doors were closed.
Even better, was that there were a few of them left. Hiei counted a little over a dozen.
He landed on the ground among them, startling them and causing them all to take a step back.
"Who the hell are you?" one of them spat at him.
"Your executioner," Hiei said, quick and to the point.
Three of them around him laughed. Hiei scanned the area around him. Some of them were his size, yet most were larger. He counted fourteen of them to be exact.
In a flash, he drew his katana and fell the three nearest him as their screams sounded out. He lowered the blade towards the ground as he crouched. He had moved so fast, that there was no blood on it. Three heavy wet thuds were heard as his victims fell to the ground, never to rise again.
All the other yokai stopped laughing, except the one who had addressed him originally.
"So you're good with a sword, who cares, little man?"
"You think I rely on this piece of steel?" Hiei said, standing up.
"I bet without it, you're nothing," the yokai said as he stood up and crossed his arms.
Hiei smirked. "Fine. I'll kill all of you in one attack without using the sword even once."
Smiling, he threw his katana straight up in the air, causing it to twirl and whistle. The bandages around his right arm exploded and burned away in a black flame, as his bandanna around his Jagan dissolved in the same way.
The other yokai took a step back, his eyes wide open with fear, as Hiei phased straight up into the air, drawing his fist back.
"Jaō ensatsu kokuryuha!" he shouted out, the last syllable transforming into an ear shattering roar from the black dragon that leapt from his outstretched arm. The targets on the ground started running away in every direction, screaming in terror. Too little, too late.
The dragon smashed into the ground with enough force to shake it, splitting off into violent tendrils of black fire that scorched everyone and everything they touched. The yokai shrieked horribly as they were literally melted from the ground up, as the fire found them and consumed them.
As quickly as it began, it was over. The scorched earth around the shrine smoked as the flames disappeared, the burned corpses giving off a horrible stench.
Thirteen new corpses. One seemed to have gotten away…
Hiei landed on the blackened ground, pulling out the scabbard of his katana and holding it in the air, open end pointing up. The blade that he had thrown into the air mere moments before reappeared from the sky with a whistle, and landed perfectly within its sheath.
"Did you have to do that to them?" Mukuro said, walking from behind the cover of a scorched tree.
"I didn't want to waste any time."
"I can see that. Did any get through the portal?"
"No, none that I can see," Hiei said. "One of them got away. I don't know what he looked like, but he was definitely faster than the others."
"Want to go look for him?"
"Not really," Hiei said. "I want to leave this to the clean up crew before I'm driven mad by the reek of blood."
"If you put a little more power into it, there would be nothing left."
"I would have destroyed the shrine if I used any more. And their deaths would have been more…painless."
Mukuro shook her head. "I don't sense anyone else around here, do you?"
"No, I don't. They seemed organized. Do you know who they were?"
"Blue tunics with yellow sashes? Not ringing a bell to me."
Hiei walked over to one of the bodies that had been burned beyond recognition and bent down. He assumed he was near the creature's head because a small piece of silver gleamed. It was an ear stud.
He picked it up and examined it closely. It was a wolf's head, its mouth opened and its fangs bared.
"What is that?"
"Nothing of importance," he said, but something compelled him to put it in his pocket instead of throwing it away. "Are we through here?"
"After you," Mukuro said in jest with a bow.
"Hn."
With that, they both took off in the direction they came, leaving the mess to the next ones who would discover it.
Otoyo coughed as she reappeared, sprawled out on the ground, covered in dirt. The shockwave from that attack had blown her back, and she couldn't form a shield without being detected by whoever it was that just attacked and wiped out her group in a single blow.
She knew that she was the most important one to the mission, and she could not be discovered. She could not be killed.
Even if it meant the death of everyone else. Not that she cared about them too much anyway. They always treated her horribly. None of them knew the ulterior motive behind this little escapade was to ensure that she was the only one that got through. Once they got through, she would have killed them anyway.
She stood up, brushing herself off. She had used on of her natural techniques, the first one she had ever mastered. As a chameleon yokai, she was not only able to disappear completely from the naked eye, she was able to drop her yoki energy to nearly zero, unable to be picked up by anyone unless they were within a few feet.
Thankfully, the fire-wielder hadn't seen her. She wiped the dirt off her forehead, but only succeeded in creating a smudge on it instead. She gave a frustrated sigh.
It would take her forever for her to get the stuff out of her hair.
She tiptoed around the still smoking bodies of defenders and attackers alike, finally coming to the base of the shrine. She closed her eyes, and did a quick scan of the area.
The only ones she could pick up were the fire-wielder and the woman, and they were beating a hasty retreat in the other direction.
She ran up the steps two at a time, and threw open the door. At the end of a short corridor lit by torches, she saw the portal. A void of swirling darkness, tinged with red electrical bursts on its outer edges. Her shadow disappeared in its blackness, and for a small instant, she felt afraid at what she was seeing.
The gateway to a world she had only heard about and never seen…
No time for that! Once they were successful, they would have all of Makai and soon after, all of Ningenkai as well…
Otoyo slammed the door behind her to hide the fact she had been there, and leapt through the portal and into darkness.
End of that chapter! Been really busy lately with my job and now I am a wanted criminal! I can't seem to shake that fact but we should be fine.
Felt like having Hiei kick some ass. Oh! Please Read and Review! I have a new AIM screenname right now, it's called EurobeatJester.
I love reading the reviews and they are really motivating me to continue with this story. Until next time, ta ta for now!