By: Sharys Aogail
Disclaimer: Still not mine . . .
Chapter 8
The first problem presented itself the very next morning. They argued about their destination, since the Shade seemed determined to see Yusuke to relative safety. But since "safe" wasn't truly possible while at war, they had to think more along the lines of "secure". His old flat was out, that much was obvious. Yusuke's landlady would turn him in with a smile. He had no real friends to speak of, so he was out of luck there as well.
"Are you sure there is no where you can go?" Hiei ground out, somewhat agitated.
The younger man scratched the back of his neck, grimacing. "Well . . . I guess we could try my folks. But gods, I haven't seen them in years. But they always keep to themselves . . . and only go into town every so often. I guess that would be a place for me to go. It's way up in the mountains though, up in Kahvin . . . It'll take a while to get there . . ."
"How far?"
Yusuke eyed the smaller man, brows furrowed. "You serious?"
"If you say that it's the best place to leave you, then yes. Now how far?"
Yusuke blinked. "Shit, you are serious!" He actually thought for a moment, trying to picture their last known location. "It's about three hundred miles south-west from here give or take, and I only know how to get there after a certain point. Before that we're screwed. Maybe . . ."
It was then that the Jantan remembered a conversation he had with one of his comrades, back when they were both in basic training and no one was around to hear. He had spoken of a sister who often helped refugees and other more shady characters. Whoever really needed to get away or to find somewhere. "In case you ever get in really deep," Kuwabara had said. "Even a smartass like you fucks up now and again."
Yusuke shook his head. "Nah, that won't work . . ."
"What?" Hiei asked.
"One of the guys I knew back in basics was saying how his big sis liked to help people, especially the ones she shouldn't. Fugitives and such. Showed me a picture of her and everything, but I have no frickin' clue where this chick lives!"
"Was this picture in some sort of wallet?"
Yusuke jerked a little. "What the hell kinda question is that?" After a grilling stare the Jantan answered. "Yeah, it was. Why does it matter?"
Hiei rolled his eyes in frustration but stepped closer to his companion. "I want you to recall it to the best of your ability. I know it's difficult for you, but think."
Before he had a chance to respond Yusuke suddenly found a pair of hands touching the side of his face. He was suddenly reminded of another Vahlkran, a dying woman with blood coated hands.
Focus Yusuke! Hiei's voice snapped and suddenly he remembered what he wanted him to do.
He remembered the long-ago conversation with Kuwabara, and the photograph he had proudly shown him. He could clearly see a younger Kuwabara standing next to a brunette woman with a cigarette held up to her lips. The image froze and suddenly Yusuke got the distinct feeling that he wasn't in control anymore. The wallet encasing the photo came into sharper focus, revealing an old ID with his dead comrade's picture on it. It became clearer still, showing general information. Name, age, weight, hight-
Adress.
Got it.
The hands were withdrawn and suddenly Yusuke was back in control.
A second later Yusuke lunged forward, laying Hiei out flat with a solid punch to the jaw. "If you ever fucking do that again, I'll run you through with your own damned sword! Got it!"
Hiei recovered quickly, glaring acidly at the taller Jantan. "Would you have been able to remember that much on your own?"
Yusuke clenched his fists together, struggling to keep himself under control. No, but . . . if he had seen something, if he saw . . .
"Do you still want to learn how to guard your thoughts?"
Yusuke glared. "Will I be able to block whatever it was that you did?"
"Yes."
He nodded then started collecting what little supplies they had in silence.
OooOo
As they traveled, Hiei taught Yusuke as promised. It was basic stuff mostly, learning to feel and to control energy, specifically that centered around the mind. As far as teachers went he had little patience, but Yusuke was very persistent. Once he could feel and consciously direct some of his energy, it was easier for Hiei to instruct him how to shield his thoughts from others and effectively keep prying minds out.
Hiei could still slip past the barriers, but the Shade had explained that he was a stronger psychic than most. Thankfully Hiei kept to himself when they did their little lessons, and if he did see anything Yusuke didn't want him too, he sure didn't show it. At the very least, he could tell Yusuke where his defenses were weak.
Once he could safely keep his thoughts tucked away, Yusuke took it upon himself to take his training a step further. When it was Yusuke's turn during night watch he took what he learned from Hiei and applied it to the powerful Mage energy that he could still feel coursing through his skin. Like with his thoughts, he slowly began erecting a wall around it, closing it off. Then he suppressed it, confining it to a smaller and smaller space and thickening the walls until he couldn't feel it anymore.
It always resurfaced, only to be shoved back more harshly than before.
He remembered the first time he had lost control and the promise he had made to himself. He had almost broken it once and was determined not to do it again.
With this firmly in his mind he clamped the walls down harder, firm in his resolve.
oOoOo
Keeping their destination in mind, it was only a matter of time before they had another encounter with the enemy one way or another. It didn't take long. After four days they stumbled across a large troop of Jantan soldiers hastily making camp for the night. It was cold out and a fine rain had started pouring down from the sky. The mistiness of it made visibility low.
"They'll pick up our trail tomorrow," Hiei said quietly. "You know that right?"
The two of them were hidden behind a small outcropping of rocks where they could peek over and examine the growing camp. Yusuke sat quietly next to his companion, swiftly cleaning and reloading his magnums with salvaged ammo while trying to keep it dry. His movement were slow and deliberate and his expression was serious.
"Then we just have to make sure that they can't follow us," he murmured, almost to himself.
"A preemptive strike?"
Yusuke grinned and spun the chamber closed. "You got it."
oOoOo
The two sentries stood out in the dark, their backs facing the camp. The wind chill made it feel bitterly cold despite their doubled jackets. They joked halfheartedly, passing a cigarette back and forth between them and taking small sips of pilfered liquor to keep warm. No one really wanted the later shifts, and any who were picked for the night were doomed to three hours of boredom. Their own dumb luck, they supposed.
The rain had let up for now, but thunder off in the distance promised that it would be back soon. It didn't bode well, especially if it was still raining tomorrow morning. No one looked forward to being ordered to trudge through the mud.
As they talked, one of the guards suddenly blinked in confusion as hands grabbed his partner, twisting his neck until there was a wet crack. Before he could shout an alarm, another hand clamped over his mouth, silencing him as a sword suddenly spouted through his chest.
Both guards fell silently, dead before they even hit the ground.
oOoOo
The whole camp was in an a state of mass chaos. Most of the men were already dead, and bodies were strewn everywhere in various degrees of dismemberment. Those with bullet wounds and sword slashed were the ones that got off easy. The tents were all on fire, slowly being eaten by black flames that even the rain couldn't douse, and some men could be heard screaming, still trapped inside.
Those that remained capable of fighting faced off against the monsters responsible for the carnage. They fought like they were possessed by demons, cutting through the survivors with a chilling ease.
One was vicious in his efficiency. Men crumpled beneath his sword and turned to ash from the dark flames that bent to his will. The other was terrifying with his unpredictability. He glowed with mage energy, dark eyes flashing solid blue as he fought with his bare hands, his guns long since forgotten in their holsters.
Amidst the screams and blood, sharp red eyes spotted a small machine with a glass lens and blinking red light. The eyes narrowed and silver flashed.
oOoOo
"I've seen enough. Shut it off."
The large screen turned to static then went black. Everyone sat in uneasy silence, nervously waiting for their superior to speak first. A pale haired man sat at the head of the table, his heavily tattooed face darkened by his serious expression. He rested a long finger against his temple.
"Who are they?"
A slim man leaped up, his mousy voice shaking as he spoke. "Sir, w-we have managed to identify the taller one. Private Yusuke Urameshi, reported missing approximately two weeks ago during an elemental explosion, presumed dead. However a more recent report submitted by one of our captains suggests that he was responsible for a small massacre about ten days ago. We have no information on the other."
Raizen scowled. "Of course we don't. Any fool could see he's one of Vahlkra's Shadow Runners." He propped an elbow on the table and laced his fingers together. "How many casualties?"
"Approximately forty three, sir."
"Approximately?"
Many were torn limb from limb. Only so many pieces were recovered." The man paused. "What are your orders sir?"
"Contact my top Hunters. I have a job for them."
"Yes sir."
oOoOo
Author's Note: This was an extremely difficult chapter to write. I was ready to rip my hair out when I realized that all the chapter breaks were more or less necessary! Grr. Well, things get interesting from here on in, and I've already started on the next chapter. THANKS EVERYONE! You're all being very patient!
I did an illustration if anyone's interested: http/ THANKS:
XinLajgin, BballAnimeLover89, Kit-kit, Spiritwave13, ShadowAili
Sacral: Sorry, All the compys I've been using are not my own, so there would be no point to binding me to them! (and hopefully there's no need for that . . . . )
Skittles the Sugar Fairy: You will see how the fox will fit in all in good time! (grin)
Rujutoshi: Hey I'm just flattered that you still read this! And I still love your stories, even if their not YYH. Teehee, I gave you the urge to write . . . .
Cruiseberry: Oh, stop, your embarrassing me! (blushes under praise) But Thank YOU!
Gabster4867luvFMA: Of course!
WhiteDragonShiro: Sadly . . . I cannot tell you what becomes of our favorite Fox. Wouldn't want to spoil the story now do we?
404.ERROR. : I hope this was soon enough for you! I really appreciated all your feedback, especially chapter by chapter. I'm glad you're enjoying this fic so much, and am flattered that you think so highly of it! It's nice to know that my writing is effective! (bows) thanks again!