A Glint in the Snow
By: Abby Ebon
Disclaimer: YYH and Gundam Wing do not in any way shape of form belong to me. However anything unrecognized and/or original characters do.
"Welcome to Youjakai, the Neither Realm." Kori stated as if that should have answered everything they had to ask- and perhaps it did- or soon would.
"Well this is unexpected." Yuusuke muttered under his breath still watching the demon populace. Kurama didn't seem too bothered by all the hustle of this lot but Yuusuke had never seen more then a few demons acting so normal. So like an everyday human.
"Indeed." Kurama added turning to Kori apparently having seen enough of the village. The pilots unnerved at seeing what resembled people- but weren't.
Not to mention buildings made of earth but no metal or skyscrapers- or other forms of modern technology within sight yet there was a strange familiarity about it for the pilots.
"We need to speck with your council." Kurama told Kori maintaining eye contact with the Nekokikai to impose on him the importance of his words. Much to Kurama's surprise Kori bowed his head.
Among the Nekokikai especially, letting your eyes leave a possible threat and bowing in any form left you vulnerable to anyone. That small movement of Kori's head- above all else Kori had done to get them in Youjakai was a sign of Kurama's superiority over Kori.
"That is who sent me to meet you." Kori admitted with a small smile guessing the reason for Kurama's surprise.
"I don't see any guards. What happens if someone tries to steal- or something?" Duo finally asked the question which had been plaguing him. Kori chuckled shaking his head in his amusement.
"Yes there are guards of a type here- anyone with a long robe and sliver trimmings like I have is one." Kori answered smugly obviously proud of his achievement and status. Hiei looked at the Nekokikai in amusement.
"They must be desperate to let you loose on them." Hiei said to him in a tone that never could be identified as serious or not. Kori scowled at Hiei biting his lip to keep form commenting or insulting him.
Despite Hiei's lack of people skills he was still a guest and capable warrior.
"In any case," Kori neatly evaded Hiei's trap.
"I think we have lingered long enough, shell we go see the council?" Kori posed it as a question though it wasn't one for where else would they go? None of them were familiar with Youjakai.
In any case Yuusuke was the only one to respond with a nod. Taking it as it was an affirmation, Kori turned and headed to the only domed building in the city.
As they started down the hill- which had offered a fair estimation of the huge cities size, Duo again noticed the different colored robes- though very few had the silver trimmings.
"What's with the different colored robes?" Duo inquired staring at a passing silver haired man in light purple robes. In his world he knew the man would have received a few odd looks but here Kori with only light blue robes was getting the glances and stares.
At first Duo thought it was them but while the demons did glance over them they seemed more concerned with Kori. Duo wasn't the only one to notice this Yuusuke and Wufei did as well but neither came close to an answer either.
"That's simple enough- the robes are significant to element control- though you can have more then one element and length tells how much control you have over it," Kori began then waved to a passing family in red with robes of varying lengths.
"The most common are those with burgundy robes which indicate you can control fire, light green or brown are the earth and its vegetation, azure is usually wind or air, grey is metal, and cerulean is water." Kori finished eyes wondering to the domed building again.
"But what about purple, amethyst, silver, or you light blue?" Quatre asked picking up were Duo had left off. Kori gave them an odd glance as if taking in the humans and seeing them for the first time.
"Purple are physics, with such abilities as teleportation, mind control, and a much stronger mind speech gifts then most." Kori told them as they drew closer to the council building the pilots shared a glance they would make sure to avoid that color at all costs.
"Amethyst is our healers they can place ideas or thoughts in your head, make you feel different emotions then you normally would, and of course heal mind and injuries faster." Kori muttered the last part as a woman in amethyst helped a man in gray out of the building that the pilots marked as in the same category as 'hospital'.
"The silver robes are Elders- and obsidian robes are our Ancients. They led the councils and their powers aren't known unless they tell you." Kori told them as they reached the domed building and held the door open ushering them through.
Trowa was amused to note the building was arranged as one might expect a bank to be yet had the 'feeling' of a library. Only there weren't any signs of money or jewels or gems anywhere only Elders dressed in silver robes- assisting their fellow demons of colored robes. Now that Trowa knew that little bit of information he could see how they differed from and among each other.
"What do your robes mean?" Heero suddenly asked breaking the hush that had fallen over the group when they had entered the council building.
They never got an answer for Kori pushed open a pair of large ornate double doors. Two columns of five rows of seats stretched in front of them, past them were two narrow tables with two seats each- in between these was a stool.
In the front of the room was an obsidian horse shoe shaped table stretched across the room that was the size of some houses. Despite its large size there were only six seats – and one was empty. In the far corners of each end of the long table were two desks.
Other then the five black robed ancients and them selves the chamber was empty. All five were standing when they stood before them. None of them could see the ancient's expressions or appearance for the robes were hooded and black veils covered their faces.
"I am Ancient Mizu." The tallest and most broadest of the ancients announced nodding his head to them then seating himself.
"Ancient Kage." A clear cut female voice rang out, and then she sat.
"Ancient Daichi of Youjakai." Another female voice spoke aged and mysterious.
"Kaji" Stated a male voice croaky -and abruptly the man sat.
"Bukimi, there is no need to tell us who you are for we already know." Murmured a woman nearly too soft to hear, and she settled in her seat with no sound.
"Welcome humans, and demon guests. We ask that you state what you want from us before these negotiations begin." Kage's voice rang out - she who sat next to the empty seat.
"Well they certainly don't waste time." Yuusuke muttered, knowing that Kurama had been elected their repetitive with Quatre if needed. Startled at the abruptness of this the ancient's question it took a minute for the fox demon to gather his thoughts.
"We believe one of your people- a Nekokikai by the name of Rius is planning to take control of Mai-Kai." Kurama answered, she nodded.
"If I may be so bold, but what do you want from us? As negotiations imply you want something in return?" Quatre asked in his diplomatic way. One of the ancients nearest chuckled.
"Inquisitive aren't you human." Mizu muttered not needing an answer as a blush flared across Quatre's cheeks.
"Yes we do want something for getting rid of that nuisance of yours. In return we ask you take Kori with you when you- offspring of Raizen, go to finish the war you pledged your help in with the humans." The soft voice of Bukimi echoed ominously in the domed chamber.
"How do you know that?" Wufei asked sharply, and Quatre winced at the rudeness in the tone while Kurama only sighed.
"The Koorime are not the only beings that hold items that allow sight beyond the normal sights." Bukimi murmured a hint of reproof and amusement heard in her voice.
"In any case Kori can't go though he's a full demon- and no full demon can go through." Yuusuke told them uneasy when two of them chuckled, as a grandparent might of the naivety of a child.
"We placed those barriers there as Kaz-Kai- as you call it, is joined with Youjakai, and we wanted no demon to find a way through there into our world." Mizu explained, they noticed that only three of the five seemed to want to speck- or had seen a reason to thus so far.
"Why after so long would you be willing to take those barriers down?" Trowa suddenly asked curious despite himself.
"We won't be- there is a way into Kaz-Kai through out world without breaching them." Kaji answered with his rough crocking voice. Kurama and Hiei glanced at each other surprised at this news for they had never heard of anything like this before.
"What will you be gaining by getting rid of Rius and sending Kori and the rest of us to Kaz-Kai?" Heero asked suspiciously.
"Whenever a demon kills itself by going through the mirrors or a tare we loose a little more power- and it takes greater power drawn on by us to send anyone through at all. Therefore it would be easier on us to send you through one of the tunnels then to attempt the mirrors." Kage explained, none of the pilots quite believed that- it sounded like a side note to divert them from an actual reason.
"Besides it will be nice to have some peace and quite around here without Kori around." Mizu who seemed to have a sense of humor told them.
"Whatever you say old man." Kori grumbled his nose scrunched up in distaste. They got the feeling this was a familiar form of teasing from the ancient.
"In any case if you two decide to go with Yuusuke, you three will also have a safe way to get back." Kage told them addressing Kurama, Hiei, and Yuusuke. Kurama nodded his agreement, and Hiei only stared at the five.
"How do you guys plan to get rid of Rius?" Duo asked curiously. Daichi a female ancient who had remained silent till that point suddenly chuckled.
"His jailor and son will be the one to deal with it." She muttered a sense of impending trouble settled over the mixed group.
"And who would that be?" Heero asked suddenly very wary and suspicious of this group of Nekokikai.
"Why, Kori Rius, of course."