A/N: They're baaack. And if you can name the movie that comes from you get an e-cookie. A chocolate chip one. Anywho, I'm baaack. ... Yeah yeah I can hear you breathing on the other side of that computer screen. I know you're there. ... alright whatever. Here's the chapter.
O/C11: Team Urameshi won their match. That evening Hiei and Misaki mind meld to restore her sanity and so that Hiei can get some sleep. The next day there isn't any fighting and so Soren and Ike claim Misaki so that she can teach them how to put up mental barriers. The two guys take her outside to a courtyard that they told Nicolai to meet them it, but they stop short, seeing something in the courtyard that neither of them like.
--
"Great." Ike crossed his arms, "She wasn't here earlier."
Misaki stepped to the side to see what the two of them were complaining about.
There was a large concrete fountain in the middle of the square courtyard. Small groups of trees were placed in the corners and arches made up the perimeter, except for the wall to their right which was solid. There were wild flowers growing prettily here and there and birds flitted in and out and up and down.
Sitting on the fairly wide edge of the tall fountain was a beautiful maiden with long wavy blonde hair that flowed down her back. She wore a long white robe-dress trimmed with gold.
She held up a hand and a bird alighted on her finger. There were a few birds hopping around the fountain and others on the ground near her feet.
Misaki felt Soren shift into a more defensive position and Ike tensed as well, both of them expecting the worst.
"What's wrong?" she asked them quietly, feeling nothing of the impending attack.
"I don't like her." Ike's eyes fixed on her every move, "I don't know why, but I don't like her."
Misaki could hear the frustration in his voice at not knowing why.
Soren nodded, not even glancing away from her, "I get that same feeling."
Misaki realized that Hiei was no longer moving. He was reclining in a tree, watching the events unfold through her eyes.
The woman turned her head towards them. She had brilliant blue eyes that seemed to compliment and complete her appearance.
She didn't appear hostile.
"Appearances can be deceiving." Hiei reminded Misaki.
"Cliché." She responded.
"But often true." was his warning.
Misaki still didn't think it would be a problem, but she promised to be careful.
To Misaki, the woman's eyes were sad. She was grieving something. Something very painful.
"Stay here." Misaki ordered Ike and Soren.
As she stepped forward, they both came with her holding no intention of letting her anywhere near this blonde woman alone.
Misaki whipped around, "Stay here." She commanded. "If I need you, I'll call."
They nodded after a moment and stepped back.
Misaki started forward again, her hands by her sides but out in the open as if to say she same unarmed.
"Hello." Misaki smiled warmly when she was close enough for the woman to hear.
"Hello Misaki." The woman responded shyly.
The timbre and lilting accent of her voice jogged Misaki's memory. She remembered the heron-winged fellow from the party. Facelle. And there was Dartanianne. Was she their sister? Same blonde hair. Same dress.
"I didn't know that I was so well-known. I've been attempting to keep a low profile." Misaki said to hid her immediate apprehension. If what Soren had said was true, she and the others were the chanters, the herons. Which meant she could possibly kill Misaki with just one note. Misaki sat down on the lip of the fountain, curling one leg under her. "She seems so fragile. She's...beautiful." Noticing her seamless complexion, Misaki felt as though she could break her just by sitting next to her.
"My name is Leanne."
"Pleased to meet you Leanne." Misaki said truthfully.
"Your eyes." Leanne said. Seeing Misaki's confused expression she hurriedly went on, "I would have known who you were by your eyes if I had not already known." She was soft-spoken.
"Facelle must have told her about me." "I didn't know my eyes were such a dead give away. I really should think about changing the color." Misaki said absently.
"Oh not the color!" Leanne exclaimed, though it was done so quietly that it really couldn't be called an exclamation, "Just...your eyes." She shrugged delicately, unable to describe it any further.
Misaki hesitated before speaking again, "You...seem sad."
Leanne looked away as if she knew her eyes held the truth. A bird landed in her lap and she daintily stroked it. "I don't know why I should trust you." She glanced up at Misaki, searching for something.
"Why shouldn't you?" Misaki countered.
Leanne didn't answer, her eyes falling to the bird who was chirping softly under her finger. It flew away happily. "My brother died...not to long ago."
Misaki knew exactly what Leanne felt, whether the maiden knew it or not.
"We were...very close and I'm afraid of...well I'm the last of my kind now and...it.." Tears began falling into her lap and she put her face in her hands, silently sobbing. Her hair fell over her shoulders and shadowed her features.
"I hate people who can look pretty even when they're crying." Misaki took Leanne's hands in her own and forced her to look up.
"I lost a brother too, Leanne. There isn't anything anyone can say that is comforting, believe me, I know."
Leanne squeezed Misaki's hands, "Oh Misaki, I just..." Her eyes became unfocused as if she was listening to something only she could hear.
"Leanne?"
"I'm sorry. I must go. It was wonderful meeting you." She stood, poised and graceful even with the tear stained cheeks. She seemed to float away, her feet hidden by her long clothing.
Misaki watched her go, aware that Ike and Soren had approached and were warily watching her leave.
They only relaxed when they were sure that she was completely gone.
"Well I figured Nicolai might possibly be here by now." Soren sat down by Misaki.
"Though it's not surprising that he isn't." Ike sat down in the soft grass.
"Wait a second..." Misaki frowned. "You guys told me that you're one of the four seeded teams."
"That's right." Soren nodded.
"Then you shouldn't have had a match yesterday." She looked accusingly at them both.
Soren and Ike exchanged depressed glances.
"We are." Ike sighed long-sufferingly.
"Ranked second." Soren sighed too, "But we got a message yesterday morning telling us that we had to fight. It was a private battle. Apparently some wires got crossed and another team was ranked second as well. So instead of finding the papers and sorting things out like normal people, the tournament just had us fight it out with the other team."
"They said 'who ever wins in officially ranked second.'" Ike shrugged.
"And you won." Misaki finished for them.
The two of them rolled their eyes, "Of course we won." They said at the same time.
"Well excuse me for ever doubting you. I heard you almost got beat." She crossed her arms.
Soren shot an accusing look at Ike, "We did." He admitted, "We're no telepaths by any means."
"So it was difficult." Ike glared at Soren.
"But we managed." Soren continued.
"To not get our butts completely ran into the ground." Ike mumbled.
"I haven't had the chance to ask you, Misaki, but are you by any chance familiar with a game called chess?" Soren rapidly changed the subject.
"Chess?" She echoed, allowing him to steer her away from what she assumed was a sensitive subject. Neither she nor Hiei had any recollection of such a game. "I don't do games." Was his response. "It sounds familiar. But no."
Soren sighed, "It was worth a try I suppose."
"Oh don't even get him started. He's been looking for a good partner ever since he learned that stupid game." Ike rolled his eyes.
"It isn't as if you volunteered." Soren retorted.
"I can't follow a thing he says when he starts in on this 'chess' thing." Ike spoke to Misaki. "It's all numbers to me."
"And we all know how you hate numbers." Soren added, "I thought we could pass time by playing a game but since you don't know it..."
Misaki frowned, "What is it exactly?"
"Now you'll get him going." Ike said exasperantly.
Soren shot him a look, "It's a game used long ago by humans to teach the ways of warfare. To train in the ways of war."
"Sounds interesting." Misaki admitted, "I've always wanted to start my own war."
Neither Soren nor Ike could tell if she was kidding or not. And Hiei wasn't even sure himself.
"Alright, you're going to start talking about it, Chess Master, I'm leaving." Ike scrambled to stand up.
"Good. Go find Nicolai." Soren said shortly.
Ike grumbled as he left the courtyard.
Soren launched into a detailed account of the origins of chess before he even started on the pieces and movement. After that he moved on to the set up of the board and tactics used.
"I'm guessing this is a little easier when it's seen." Misaki interrupted at one point.
Soren frowned, "I suppose so. Are you interested in playing?"
"Do you happen to have pieces and a board up your sleeve?"
"Not up my sleeve, no." He grinned, reaching into a pocket. He pulled out something and began unfolding it.
"Portable." Misaki noted.
"Made it myself and I don't go anywhere without it." When he was done with it, he placed it between them.
He then showed her everything he had been talking about. Once Misaki felt that she had questioned the eager youkai about every aspect of the game, she agreed to play.
About half-way through the game, the both of them in deep concentration, Misaki felt a presence kneel next to her.
"Ah you are a sight to behold, Misaki." Someone grabbed her hands and pulled her attention away from her the move she was about to make.
Inwardly, Misaki groaned to see Nicolai. She looked at Soren, wanted to be rescued but Soren just grinned and shook his head. Misaki noticed over Soren's shoulder a figure approaching one of the archways at the edge of the courtyard. It was Kurama.
His face was unreadable from that distance but he coldly turned away and started to walk off.
"Kurama!" Misaki got up and made for where he stood. But when she reached the spot, he had disappeared into the forest of trees beyond the archway. Misaki stood, puzzled. He had to have heard her.
Hiei fell asleep sometime during Soren's explanation but he woke at Misaki's concern.
"Sorry."
"Hn. As long as he can still fight."
"Misaki!"
She turned at her name being called.
"We're all here!" Ike and Nicolai were standing side-by-side looking at her; Soren still sat on the fountain edge.
Misaki walked back to them.
"Are you alright?" Soren asked. The chess set was gone, apparently back in his pocket.
"Yeah. I'm fine." She sat down on the grass. "Have a seat."
Ike and Nicolai sat down across from her and Soren joined them.
--
"Wow. This is really hard." Ike leaned back on one hand, wiping away beats of sweat from his forehead.
The other two guys nodded, relaxing as well.
"You surprise me, Misaki." Soren spoke up.
"Why is that?" She asked calmly.
"You're a very patient teacher." The green-haired man told her, "None of us have any background with telepathic abilities and yet you agreed to assist us."
"And you haven't run away screaming yet." Ike added.
"It's just that, among all of the things that the legend of the Ansatsusha says you are, I never would have thought that the great Misaki,"
"Would make a great teacher." Nicolai finished quietly.
"Hmph." Misaki crossed her arms, "Now, any barrier you'll put up will be minor. A low level telepath without much training, or someone simply skimming your mind will be given problems. But if you face anything like those class A telepaths you fought yesterday, they'll just laugh in your face as they tear through."
"Why will it only be minor?" Ike asked.
"Can't we practice and make it stronger?" Soren asked at the same time.
"Up to a point. You can train all you want but your progress will be limited. Once you reach a certain level, which will be low regardless, you won't be able to proceed any farther. But that's true with practically anything unless you have the inborn ability."
"For example...?" Ike waited for her to fill in the blank.
"For example, Ike you could probably use wind to create a barrier that would protect you from people who are less proficient with wind. But if Soren attacked you, the use of such a barrier would be...well stupid. Your power with wind can never come near to the power Soren has because he was born with that ability and you aren't."
"That's an interesting theory." Soren stroked his chin.
Misaki rolled her eyes, then she stood up and stretched, "Alright. I'm done with you morons."
"Really? Already?" Soren sounded surprised.
"Already? What do you mean already? Look around, it's evening." She gestured to the darkening light around them.
"Huh. So it is." Ike got up, "Well I'm hungry. Let's get some food."
"Sounds good to me." Soren agreed.
"Want to join us, master of masters?" Ike bowed and extended her a hand.
"Yeah go on. I'll catch up in a second." She turned away, moving back towards the fountain. She stared down into the water from a short distance, not wanting to see her reflection.
"Um...Misaki?"
She turned back to see Nicolai standing a few feet from her. She remembered that he hadn't spoken much during the lesson.
For the first time since she'd met him, he seemed hesitant, "I...I'm really sorry. I saw that guy...the red-haired one. But I didn't...I had no idea that..."
"Nicolai...are you okay?"
He bit his lip, "I just...um...I'm sorry that I..."
"Look Nicolai," Misaki said kindly, "I accept your apology, whatever you're trying to apologize for." He was acting decent for once and Misaki responded with equal decency, refusing to insult him while he had that look on his face.
He brightened a little, "Really? ...okay!"
"Shall we go?" Nicolai swept an arm towards the other two, waiting for her to lead.
"Hey, teach! I'm hungry! Could you hurry it up!?" Ike called from outside the arches.
"Ike! If you so much as think of calling me 'teach' again, I swear I'm gonna—"
"You're gonna what, shorty?" Ike looked down at her stomping figure as she approached, unintimidated by the murderous expression across her face.
She pushed him aside, "I don't know yet, but I'll think of something!!"
--
Later that night, Misaki was walking by herself in the woods near the tournament sight. She chuckled quietly, remembering the banter of the dinner conversation.
The three youkai were so much alike, though Nicolai wasn't as gregarious as usual.
Misaki felt as though she sat on the outside, looking in on their conversation.
"Never quite there, never quite gone." Misaki jumped into one of the old trees of the long-standing forest. She easily climbed to the top, perched so that she swayed with the tree when the wind breezed by.
A nearly full moon shone down onto the green sea, casting a strange silver light onto the shivering leaves.
As Misaki climbed back down, her foot slipped on a spot where the rough bark of the tree had been broken off and the trunk beneath was smooth. She suddenly recognized the tree she was in.
--
"Misaki! You know I hate trees!"
An almost younger looking Misaki stuck her head back out of the lower branches which were heavily laden with brilliant green leaves. Perhaps not younger, but more naïve. There were things of the cruel world she had not witnessed yet, loved ones she hadn't lost.
Her hair was boy cut with a few pieces hanging in her face as she grinned from her precarious position. The short spikes were completely silver, almost an iridescent color that reflected and refracted all light that touch upon it. Her eyes were still green however, just brighter with joy.
"Brotheeerrr, come on! Even I can protect you from some lame 'ole tree!"
Standing on the ground beneath her was someone strikingly similar in appearance. He was male, his eyes gleaming a golden-owlish color flecked with bronze. He crossed his arms, "I am not moving."
Misaki laughed and jumped down, "Sure you are!" She grabbed his toned arms—though his whole body with lithe and toned—and pulled him towards the tree's base.
He wasn't tall, but he wasn't really short either. Green was his favorite color.
Misaki's eyes got bigger and she stuck out her lower lip, "Pweeeease!"
He sighed and flashed a brief smile.
They looked so alike; same untamed hair, same body structure. Almost twins, though male and female as it were.
"Oh alright."
"Yay!" Misaki immediately released him and scrambled back up the branches.
"But I still hate trees!" He informed her. She just laughed.
"What do you hate about trees?" She asked, pausing only briefly to stroke the old trunk before climbing higher.
"Climbing them," He grunted.
She glanced down to see him struggling to find a hand hold. They were only half way up the tree but the drop was a long one.
"Wait till you see the view." She told him.
A piece of bark snapped from under his foot and he cried out in surprise, losing any grip he had managed to have.
"Brother!" Misaki shouted, shimmying down as fast as she could.
He glanced over his shoulder to see the ground fast approaching but suddenly it stopped. He looked back up to see Misaki bracing herself among the branches, her hand grasping his forearm.
"See? Told yah. Baka tree." she said flippantly, grinning once more. It masked her shortage of breath and her pounding heart.
He grinned back and took a hold of her arm. Misaki, still braced against the tree, pulled him up until he could grab a branch firmly. He sat down and leaned back against the trunk, Misaki laying down on the wide branch.
"Hey Misaki!" Someone called from below. A guy was walking for the tree; a guy with a shock of bright pink hair on his head, looking as though he had stuck his finger in a light socket.
Her brother stuck his head out between the branches, "What?" he asked, sounding just like her.
"Where's your brother?"
"I'm right here!" Misaki stuck her head out next to his.
The pair laughed merrily as the guy below them came close enough to see his mistake. They jumped down.
"I hate it when you do that! I always think I can tell you two apart and I'm always wrong!"
"It's just 'cause she looks so much like me," He put her in a head lock.
"Hey!" She struggled against his arm.
"You know, Misaki, I think you're taking the whole 'imitation is the best form of flattery' thing too far."
"Nah." Her brother dismissed the other guy's comment, "It's a compliment." He let her go.
"You mess up my hair!" Misaki protested, running her fingers through it, though the spikes hadn't been moved an inch.
The two guys laughed.
"She even sounds like you!"
--
Misaki took a deep breath of the cool night air, sitting down and reclining back against the tree on the same branch she had do so on many years ago. "A good memory at last."
"This tree must be old."
Misaki opened one eye to see Hiei's shadow had fallen over her. He was standing on a nearby branch, his gaze holding appreciation for the stately forest denizen. Despite the fact that she had known it was him from their meld, habit required the use of eyes.
"It is. If these trees are still the original ones, they're all extremely old." She moved a hand to encompass all of the trees around them.
"You must be old."
Misaki didn't take the bait, "A few centuries younger and I might've considered that an insult." Though she frowned, wondering why everyone seemed to be taking a crack at her age. This just wasn't her week.
Though conversation out loud was obsolete between them, habit still made the words take form on the air, "What made you change your hair?"
"He died." She said simply, watching the leaves whisper above her as another breeze swept through.
Feeling permission from her, Hiei searched for more of an answer. Black. A color of mourning. Her mourning. A constant reminder with silver as a mere echo of what had once been.
He stepped on to her branch and peered down at her eyes, "And yet your eyes remain the same color." He said, satisfied that they were in fact still green.
The dark emeralds that were her eyes closed again and a thin line of pain drew itself across her forehead, "Green was his favorite color." Her sentence was just a whisper among the breeze. She turned her head away, hair shadowing her face but not before Hiei saw the single tear fall down her cheek to her jaw.
"You loved him."
His words pulled emotions from deep within her that he was flooded with. Love, yes. As much love as he carried for Yukina, if not more, for Misaki's bond ran much deeper than blood with her brother.
Misaki abruptly stood as if the reminder of what was lost called for the need to move, much as it had the years she searched for the killer; a need to keep moving as the loss threatened to overtake the senses.
"Hey Misaki!" Someone called from below.
Hiei grabbed Misaki's arm as she briefly lost her balance. That voice sounded so similar to the one that had called out the same words years ago.
Misaki smirked, recovering herself, as it dawned on Hiei the reason why the two voices sounded similar.
"Her ancestor??" He couldn't help but exclaim.
Misaki ignored him and jumped down.
"What is it, Genkai?"
The short psychic stood with her arms behind her back, "You fight first tomorrow."
"Against whom?"
"The Shadow Rider." She replied darkly.
"Great." Misaki grimaced.
"Be careful," Genkai turned, "He's changed." She disappeared into the forest.
"Trust me," Misaki mumbled, "I above all people know that."
--
Man...this one is a little long too. Oh well. Call it my welcome back present...to you...right...whatever. Thanks for reading!
-lotsm