This chapter was Beta read by akasoeki.
Chapter Fifteen: The Handling of Partners
Watching the idiot fight was like watching an exercise in futility. He barely had any skill to brag about (though that didn't stop him) and apparently not enough brainpower to support a tactically sound battle strategy. He just yelled, pumped energy into his sword and kept swinging at Byakko without applying what he'd learned. It was like watching someone try to knock down a wall by repeatedly bashing their face into it, and just about as effective.
Hiei had been a bit surprised when the punk managed to pull through against the monstrous summons, though he would fully admit it had more to do with luck than anything else. There was no way the brat had known Byakko would get full before he ran out of energy...although the woman had predicted it as a possible outcome.
During the third fight when they all watched the human back himself into a situation with no escape route, he'd actually been willing to save the moron if need be. Of course, then the idiot forbid them from it and he didn't care enough one way or another to interfere again. Teasing him, along with Kurama and Yusuke, had been satisfying as they watched the idiot dangle from the platform. Of course it was just as he let his guard down a little that the woman managed to get into trouble.
Yusuke had just lifted the idiot to safety when a thunderous clack echoed across the cavern. Everyone's attention snapped over to find her leaping frantically ahead of the collapsing columns, her dark hair had broken free of its restraint and streamed out like a banner behind her as she darted from platform to platform. He was surprised by her dexterity, she made some jumps he wouldn't have guessed her soft looking form to be capable of, but in the end it wasn't quite enough. He could tell the last jump wasn't going to be far enough just by looking at the distance, he could see it in her eyes that she knew she was going to die.
In the blink of an eye, he'd moved over the distance between them as her hands disappeared over the ledge. In another blink, he was bending over the ledge and snatching her forearm from the heated air with more force than he'd intended. The bones creaked under his strength, but she didn't make a single sound of protest as he easily hauled her back up, dragging her onto the platform until she could stand on those ridiculously long legs of hers.
"Thank you," she said, causing him to glance somewhere other than up at the strange emotions in her bizarre star shaped eyes, "Thank you so much..."
"Don't misconstrue the situation. I only saved your life because we might need a healer," he spoke with just a hint of derision.
"I don't care," at her words, his attention snapped back to her face, "You still saved my life and for that I'm grateful." She actually bowed at him, using formal and polite speech like Kurama always used, but hers was heartfelt and it made him narrow his eyes.
"Hmm," was his only response before he picked his way back over to the rest of the group.
As I watched Hiei return to the others, I realized he was going slow enough for my eyes to see and that his path was an easy one that I could follow. I wondered vaguely if it had anything to do with keeping me from falling again or if it was simply the path he chose for himself. I stowed the memory away for later and began to follow. Soon, we left the Beast's lair altogether, for which I was quite grateful. While the heat didn't seem to smother me like it did Yusuke or Kuwabara, I did have the feeling that I would have nightmares about this place for some time.
I guess the boys decided to make up for lost time by racing through the stone hall. It led into another enclosed ascending spiral staircase. Yusuke had taken point this time and I brought up the rear. When we finally made it to the top, we were in a circular room of sorts that had many closed metal doors leading off into unknown areas. Nothing was marked and I could instantly feel that this was a trap, of sorts, on its own. The wrong choice would lead to booby trapped halls and painful death.
"What, you've got to be kidding me!" Yusuke growled in frustration.
"Hmm, it appears we have found a maze in Maze Castle..." Hiei mocked him. I may or may not have snorted at his comment, either way, I looked away and bit my lip to mask my amusement.
"We must beware," Kurama said, "Its something of a legend." As he spoke I stretched my senses out across the room and through the doors and their passages. "In the beginning before the net making up the barrier wall was filled in and lesser demons passed in and out at will, hundreds of bounty hunters came in search of the Beasts. None succeeded, but the beasts never left their tower, letting anyone who entered the castle forfeit their lives to this maze."
Focused as I was, I felt like I could almost see the lingering remnants of the hunters meeting their grisly ends in some of the halls. "There are fifteen doors," he continued, "all but one leads to a dead end. There are no second attempts. Unavoidable traps line the incorrect passageways. So you see," he finished, "a poor choice seals our fate."
Both boys had a screwed up look on their face, sweat beading at their temples. Kurama seemed as calm as ever. Hiei was just standing there, looking as if nothing could scare him. Yusuke turned his attention to Kuwabara and I, "Okay, this one's up to the freaks with spidey sense."
Kuwabara set his attention out around us, but I ignored the others, following the passages down with my own senses and then focusing on each one alone. I hadn't ever covered an area so large before, but with my power unleashed as it was by the curse, I'd never been able to. There was danger behind all of them, but the second door on the left was by far the most dangerous. Unlike the others which gave off a general danger or "trap sense," the energy behind that door was similar to the two Saint Beasts we'd already face.
"Second door on the left," Kuwabara confirmed.
"How do we know he's not making a mistake," Hiei questioned.
"Not that I disagree," I cut in, "but what lead you to that conclusion," I was curious about what he could sense versus what I could sense.
"Its got a big feeling behind it, kind of like the first two monsters...What about you, Sarai-san?"
I nodded, "Yes, I agree with that. Plus, all the other passageways lacked signs of life, but triggered my trap sense and echo with the lingering touch of the dead that line the floor."
The look he shot me was one of disbelief, "You can tell all of that?"
"We were on the same passive awareness level when we met, but even then I could stretch my senses out with a bit of willpower. After my training..." I paused and rubbed a hand over my forehead, bringing attention to the scar there, "And after the curse was unleashed, my sensitivity has improved even more." I looked down the chosen passage way, "What's more is I can sense those bastards watching us even now," I flipped off the air in general, hoping he got the message, "So lets not keep them waiting."
With that, I took point and opened the door, scaring off a tiny mouse. Yusuke was just behind me, then Kurama and Hiei in the middle, with Kuwabara bringing up the rear. As we left the chamber of passages, I pulled my senses back to focus on the area around us and ahead. Byakko cuddled up in a tense ball on my shoulder and Takara thrummed comfortingly through our connection. The further we went, the worse my feeling grew.
Finally, we reached a large, blue door with gold trim. There were stone dragon gargoyles raring menacingly on each side, as if warning trespassers to turn back or meet their doom. Lightning flashed and Hiei scowled at the figures, "Are we supposed to be scared?"
"Perhaps, that is the mark of the blue dragon and judging from the odor I'd say the beast is inside," As Kurama spoke, I realized that was the second time he'd referred to his sense of smell as a primary factor in his awareness of the surroundings.
I ignored Kuwabara when he spoke to focus on the room ahead of us. I could sense him, all twelve feet of him. His energy spread through the room like an icy mist, hampering my awareness of the room in general. His core power was too much to hide behind that veil, though, so I could get a pretty clear picture of him. Seconds later, the door groaned and began opening, so we walked into the room. There really was a cool fog in the room that felt chilling and wrong against my heated skin. The doors groaned again and slammed shut.
"This fog is alive..." Kurama murmured.
"It is hampering my senses, but his energy is too strong to mask," my eyes were locked ahead.
"Must be a form of spirit energy coming from our Beast's body," Hiei reasoned.
"You have done very well to come this far," a new voice spoke. Cold, void of emotion, and dangerous, the tone sent a thrill of adrenaline straight down my spine, "But I shall no longer allow you to disgrace my master."
"Where's that voice coming from," Kuwabara asked.
"I don't know," Yusuke growled, "Come out dragon! This whole hide and seek thing is getting pretty lame."
There was a crackle of static energy and a flash of light as most of the mist concealing his form vanished. "As you request." He was also hideous, tall, and had bluish green skin that looked thicker than it should. His features were exaggerated and sharp, with a pointy black goatee, spiked hair, and a yellowed eyed gaze that radiated contempt. "You may call me Seiryu. I am here to end your lives, intruders," his mouth twisted into a mean little smile and a low, throaty chuckle could be heard as though he relished the pleasure the task brought him.
"Well, he's no dragon, but he is ugly," Yusuke snarked.
Seiryu's gaze narrowed dangerously, "It is not wise to say such things to your executioner." His voice seemed unconcerned and icy, but it was obvious that the human boy's disrespect rankled him.
At that moment though, I gasped and looked backwards towards the door we'd come through. The movement caught the other's attention and Seiryu spoke again, "Hmm, it appears we have another guest..."
Before I could voice the danger, a groaning noise could be heard from the passage, it was the sound of something moving slowly towards us and dragging it's limbs. The Beast Byakko had survived his swim in the molten lake and was now dragging his broken body towards us. I breathed his name out in shock, the others glancing back to see what I could sense.
The doors opened before us and revealed Byakko, ragged, badly burned, and wheezing through each breath, "You must help me," he spoke to Seiryu. As he staggered forward, our group split, backing away from him and letting him pass through the middle. Hiei was the closest to the door, with Yusuke in the middle and me on the other end. Kurama and Kuwabara were on the other side.
"These cowards, they tricked me in my own lair," his voice was pathetic and weak. He sounded like a beaten animal. "They hid their true powers from me until the end," he was before Seiryu now, "You must help me recover."
"Weakling," Seiryu lost his composure as he spat out the word, but regained it before he went on, "How dare you dishonor us further."
"Please Seiryu," Byakko begged.
"You are no longer wanted here..." with that, Seiryu got into a foreign stance, his icy energy pooling into one fist. "You are a disgrace..."
"No! Seiryu..." Byakko's voice wavered, tones of fear hitting it for the first time. "I can help you destroy them, it was a small mistake!" He covered his face from the impressive light radiating from Seiryu's energy.
With a roar, Seiryu threw his fist forward. The energy shot out of his hand and completely covered Byakko in frosty power that sent my senses reeling with danger. As the light cleared, thick ice crawled over the Tiger Beast's skin, freezing him solid. After that, the giant placed a solid kick to the corpse-sicle before him, shattering Byakko into chunks of ice. With revulsion, I watched as the Tiger demon's head rolled across the floor, a few vertebra of his spine hanging out of his cracked neck. It wasn't messy or bloody, as his insides were completely frozen, but it was still brutal in a way I was not accustomed to seeing. I couldn't stop the shivering that took over my body, it had nothing to do with the cold.
"Hmm, you were right about my fog of energy. By lowering it to subzero temperatures, I can wrap my enemy in ice." Seiryu was completely unconcerned by what he'd just done.
"You heartless bastard!" Yusuke yelled, "How could you kill off your own friend."
"He was a weapon, not a friend, and like a cheap sword, he rusted." The dragon actually spat on Byakko's face and I swear I could see a tear drop gather in the tiger's eyes before his energy completely dispersed, moving on to the next world.
I felt a familiar sort of ice press through my core and wrap around my senses, the kind that brought clarity and allowed me to move beyond the terrible things that were happening all around. Even with the familiar cold that cooled the heat burning in my veins, it was hard to keep from feeling overwhelmed. It wasn't just what he'd done to his comrade, no Byakko was evil and allied himself foolishly. The situation just underlined the hopelessness and fear I'd felt from Kurenai as she watched her sister get carried off by this vicious creature. I could feel the anger building in my muscles, knowing that a soft kid like Yuki had fallen into his merciless grasp. This demon who had probably used her like an object until destroying her when she was no longer of benefit to him and his master.
Focusing on Kurama's voice helped to further restrain the emotions that threatened to overtake me , "This race of beasts has no loyalty. Alliances are formed strictly to gain power."
"I don't care what kind of race they are. Its never right to kill your own teammate. Especially when they come asking you for help," Kuwabara was the most outwardly affronted by the Dragon's actions.
"This guy's pushed me too far," Yusuke growled, "He's dead!"
"Save your anger," Hiei's tone got my attention. There was an edge to it and his eyes were focused on Seiryu with the intent of a riled up predator, set on an otherwise calm face. "I insist the fight be mine," he shot Yusuke a look that brooked no argument before walking forward to meet the blue Dragon.
"Ah, shall you be first, Hiei?" Seiryu just stood calmly, watching the shorter demon approach him. His arms were braced behind his back and his stance was wide and well balanced.
Hiei still had his hand in his pockets, but I could sense the fierce scowl on his face and the heat of anger that radiated through his energy. His attention flickered slightly, towards the Tiger Beast's frozen head, before he whipped off his black robe and let it settle over it, shielding it from view. He stood there, in black pants, with his torso bare and leveled that molten gaze back on the ice dragon before him. His sword rested diagonally across his body, fully half his height. I felt a flush crawl over my face and down my chest at the smooth, muscled expanse of skin he revealed.
Seiryu started laughing scornfully, "What was that? Tell me you're not feeling sympathy for that amateur. From your actions at the Gate of Betrayal I was hoping you had more of a warrior's spirit."
I felt Hiei's anger grow hotter. Kurama then spoke. "He's a puzzle, isn't he?" The green eyed demon had our attention, "In times before, I've seen Hiei act with similar cruelty," my eyes flashed back to Hiei, who got into stance and began gathering energy, "but something about Byakko's execution has caused great anger in him. Hiei seems to live by his own code with very complex rules, but one thing's for certain, never before have I seen Hiei start a fight with such an extraordinary amount of his spirit energy."
"Good," Yusuke replied, "As long as he kicks some ass..."
Hiei's energy was vast, intense, and focused with the intent to kill. It sent a little thrill of excitement through my system that I couldn't begin to understand. I didn't like death or pain and I wasn't the type of person who got actual satisfaction out of watching another die, even if they deserved it. Situations like this were a necessary part of life sometimes, but I did not relish them. None of those logical thoughts mattered, though, because seeing Hiei ready himself for battle had my senses, my instincts, and my body singing with anticipation for something I couldn't yet grasp.
The Dragon's cold spirit energy clouded out behind and around him, cutting off the view of the surrounding room, but leaving the middle area open. Hiei's intense energy seemed to shoot up in rays that flickered and radiated as they interacted with the giant's icy spirit.
"I assure you, Hiei, it is not too late to join our ranks," Seiryu offered, "Prostrate yourself before my master and he shall give you power and fame beyond what you have ever tasted."
"Is that all you have to say?" Hiei's tone was as calm as ever, betraying none of the fire I felt blazing through his energy and coiling beneath his skin. "They're last words, you know?" His voice was silky and dangerous.
"Fine," Seiryu snarled, "so that is your choice. Then you shall meet your death with the other weaklings!" He let out a roar, his spirit energy filling the room with obscuring fog once more, that pushed against Hiei's own energy. Entrenched in the thick of it, I could still sense the short demon as clearly as ever. His energy formed something of a barrier around him, different from my own, that shoved the mist away from him and sent it careening past Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama and I in two streams, one on each side. The mist actually blew chunks out of the wall where it tore into it.
Seiryu still hadn't regained his cool and his words had more of a growl than they held previously, "Hmmm, try blocking this!" With that, he pooled spirit energy into his hands again, that frost like warning pricked icily down my spine. Yusuke recognized it as well, it was the attack he'd finished Byakko with. Hiei jumped up into the air, dodging the attack as he twisted and soared straight over Seiryu, landing behind him. "Haha, I'm sorry. I had forgotten of your impressive speed," he got in stance once more, "Now lets try again!" He repeated the attack with a shout.
The next several seconds were truly amazing to watch. Hiei's speed really was impressive as he seemed to blink around the room faster than my eyes could follow with Seiryu trailing after with relentless blasts of his subzero spirit energy. Instead of trying to use my weak human eyes, I closed them and followed him with my awareness, spreading it out to fill the room. Hiei was acrobatic, flipping and tumbling, running up the walls and leaping through the air. Seiryu just yelled, throwing more icy energy at the short demon.
Eventually, the edge of a blast caught Hiei on his left leg, ensnaring it in ice from foot to knee. "He won't be able to run any longer."
"Hmm, you see," The Dragon deadpanned, "No one ever escapes, they only beg for mercy. With your leg frozen, you can't possible move. I suggest you start groveling." With that, he got into stance again and summoned an impressive amount of energy and sent his attack flying.
My heart jumped to my throat when Hiei leaped towards the attack, flying through it and slashing Seiryu multiple times before landing back on our side. His other leg and his left arm were frozen before he hit the ground.
"Hiei!" Yusuke called out anxiously.
"Hah," Seiryu mused, "you have escaped, but you are wounded."
Hiei was laughing now. It was a low throaty thing, full of dark amusement, "So what if your ice trick can kill your wounded friend," he lifted up his frozen left arm. "It won't kill me," with a flex of his muscles, the ice shattered off of him and fell through the air as harmless snow powder.
When Seiryu's voice rasped out, it seemed much worse for wear, "That's impossible! I shall give one final blow!" But before the end of his statement, blood dripped down his forehead.
"I don't think so," Hiei's voice was deathly cold.
The Dragon fell back in obvious pain, it was as if his edges were cracking, his energy about to burst through and destroy him, but I sensed the flare of a powerful link spell activate from a corner of the room obscured by the icy, enshrouding mist.
In that moment, I felt all the ice in my veins turn to a flaring, blinding heat. I had recognized Yuki's energy from Kurenai's memories and she was here to help the enemy.
Hiei watched as Seiryu recognized his own death, but a second before it took him he paused and drew back up to his full height with a groan. The Beast was...healing.
That's when he heard Sarai drop her bag and slowly start walking towards the chosen battlefield.
"What are you doing, I'm not finished, woman!" He growled a warning.
She ignored him and only stopped when she drew even with him. Her eyes were locked at a mist enshrouded point on the wall behind Seiryu.
"You know," her voice was filled with ice, "If you're going to play with the boys, sweetheart," Hiei's attention snapped over to where she directed her words, but he couldn't sense anything, "you really should show your face. Its rude to interfere from the shadows."
A soft, lilting chuckle echoed around the room before energy wavered and parted some of the obscuring mist. A beautiful woman, pale as death with bright red eyes, stood with elegant posture. She was dressed in a blue, fur-lined kimono with an ornate steel fan tucked into her obi. "It looks like I've been caught, dearest," her words were directed at the Dragon, "I know how you hate when I interfere, but I suppose you can punish me later..."
She stepped towards Seiryu, who towered over her slight form, "I'm curious, little girl, how did you sense me while my energy was masked?" by the time she drew even with Seiryu, his wounds were fully healed and he was growling. It was hard to tell if the Dragon felt more fury towards the pale woman at his side, or at the demon who would have killed him without her interference.
It was in that moment that Hiei realized exactly why the woman had ignored his warnings. Yuki was alive and the battle had just changed. He analyzed the situation and felt the warm heat of Sarai's awareness brush over his energy like a silk touch, I'll handle Yuki, I won't interfere beyond that. You are free to continue on as you were.
You'll be in the way, he snapped back. When Sarai made no sign that she'd gotten the message or that she would retreat, he growled slightly.
"Its impolite to ignore someone when they ask you a question," Yuki pulled the ornate looking fan from her obi and twirled it around, as if playing. "Dearest, do you mind if I teach her some manners?"
A muscle in Seiryu's jaw twitched in anger. Yuki must have perceived it as some sort of approval because black energy shot through her hand, clawing through the air straight at Sarai, but it didn't make it. A barrier jumped to life around Sarai and Hiei before the dark energy could hit it's mark. When it collided with the blue white light of the barrier, energy cackled angrily as it fractured and bounced off to dissipate in the air.
Yuki's smile turned cruel as she snapped open her fan, "Ah, with that weak energy signature it was difficult to ascertain, but I know what you are now, girl..." Her head turned fractionally towards the ice dragon at her side, "Dearest, you will not be able to kill the Fire Demon until his pet is neutralized. Please, allow me to take care of her while you play with him..."
Seiryu's cold, malicious gaze focused on Sarai with a vicious smile curving his mouth, "As you wish, pet." It set Hiei's teeth on edge.
A/N: I've got 19 reviews now. Thanks to everyone who has left a bit of encouragement, advice, criticism, or praise. :) I hope you're looking forward to Chapter 16 next week. I'm currently working on some exciting stuff in chapter 18 right now. Find the Snevilly page on facebook if you'd like an easy way to stay updated and be more involved, ask questions or whatever. I've posted some questions there for my readers. ^.^