Thank you Katara Melody Cullen for your review!
"I assure you Kurama she is in good hands." Youko turned away from the doctor treating Cheza to see Mukuro now standing beside him, along with Hiei. "I
took a sample of the liquid she was injected with to my top scientist, he was able to come up with a rather interesting conclusion about what has happened to
your dear Cheza." Mukuro commented. "I'm sure you are familiar with the plant known as the Evening Primrose?" Youko nodded, "Yes, it has been used for
centuries to help induce labor." Mukuro nodded, "That was the main ingredient found in the liquid Cheza was injected with, but there was another ingredient
that was found, one that I believe to be the cause of her current state. I'm sure you are also familiar then with the plant known as Yarrow?" Youko's eyes
narrowed, "There was Yarrow in it?"
"What does Yarrow do?" Kuronue asked speaking up for the first time since the two entered the room.
"Yarrow is known to induce miscarriages." Mukuro informed. Youko golden eyes darkened , taking on an almost reddish tint. Clinching his fist, Youko punched
one of the castle walls causing it to crumple into pieces. Mukuro maintained her calm demeanor, "She has been given a drug to counteract the effects, there
should be no further complications." Youko turned his attention back to Cheza as Kuronue asked a question that was on both Youko and Hiei's minds as well.
"Will she still be giving birth in time? " Mukuro nodded, I believe so."
The tension in the air seemed to lighten a bit at her words. The doctor examining Cheza got his feet after listening to her heartbeat, "I'll come to check on her
every few hours. What she was given will take a major toll on her body, considering the fact she is a mere human. It is best that she remains under watch at
all times until she reaches labor." The four watched as the doctor exited the room. Mukuro turned her attention to Hiei, "We shall be taking our leave as well."
The two exited the room, leaving just Youko and Kuronue.
" You've been here all day man, why don't you take a break? I'll keep an eye on her for you." Kuronue offered. "No, I'm not leaving her side." Kuronue sighed
as his friend's stubbornness, he knew there was no point in arguing with the fox.
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"Mommy, is Cheza going to be okay?" Taya asked while looking up at Yukina with sad eyes. Yukina took her daughter's hand in hers, leading her towards the
garden located inside the castle. Yukina knew that would be where Stella was and more than likely Daisuke too. "Yes, I believe she is doing better now."
"Where are we going?" Taya asked curiously. "I'm sure you could tell Stella and Daisuke were rather upset about what has happened to Cheza, I think we
should go and cheer them up." Yukina replied. A smile spread across the girl's face, "Great idea mommy!" They continued their journey soon reaching a massive
garden covered in all sorts of plant life as well as trees. Following the path of stepping stones leading deeper into the castle garden, the two came across a
pond filled with different types of demonic fish. Some had razor sharp teeth ready to pierce through the flesh of anyone who dare come to close. Other fish
looked like typical fish found in human world, such as Koi fish. Small red eyed turtles also occupied the pond along with a colorful variety of frogs. The two
ventured further into the castle garden, soon entering into a mini forest. Gigantic trees could be seen as far as the eye could see, just how could all this be
located inside the castle walls!? Yukina came to a stop as she heard someone humming a tune nearby. Scanning the area she soon came across the source of
the sound, a flower demon who took on the appearance of a sun flower. The sunflower quickly spun around as she spotted the two, "Oh, hello there. You must
be looking for Miss Stella "Yukina was wary of the demon and the sunflower took notice. "Please don't mind me, I'm one of the gardeners here." The ice maiden
smiled politely, "Yes, actually we are looking for Stella and Daisuke. Have you seen them?" The sunflower nodded, "I have. " The sunflower pointed a leaf in the
direction of a rather large wooden gazebo off in the distance. "Thank you very much" Yukina replied. "Anytime!" exclaimed the sunflower.
"Mommy this place is so big! " Taya commented while spinning around in a circle taking in all the sights. Their eyes drifted to a white bridge that lead them to
their destination. "We will have to cross this bridge, please be careful Taya." Taya nodded and the two began their trek across. The sounds of explosions and
clouds of dust caught their attention. A blur of red flashed in front of the ice maiden, followed by another red blur. Soon two familiar faces made their
appearance. Stella stood a few feet away from Daisuke, a mini rose whip in hand. So that's what they were doing, the two were sparing with each other.
Stella's emerald gaze locked onto Yukina, her eyes widened. "Yukina!? What are you doing here! Is my mom okay!? Did something happen!?" Daisuke
disappeared in a blur soon appearing in front of Yukina, concern etched into his features. "No, no Cheza is fine. I was just worried about you two. "Relief
washed over the two, "you two are sparing?" Yukina asked curiously. " Yes, the stronger we become the better chance we have of protecting our mother and
you and Taya as well." Daisuke replied while clinching his fist. "I want to join!" Taya yelled from off in the distance while running towards the three. "Can I?"
Taya asked Yukina with puppy dog eyes.
" Okay, but please be careful." Taya nodded and the three took off while Yukina took a seat inside the gazebo.
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Cheza's eyes fluttered open, her body ached and she had a horrible headache. Throwing the covers off her, she slowly sat up. Examining the room she was in
she soon realized she wasn't alone, Youko lay on a couch nearby fast asleep. Her stomach growled, that's when she realized just how hungry she was. As
quietly as possibly she slid out of bed, standing up proved to be more difficult than she anticipated but she still managed to. She questioned rather or not she
could make it to the dining hall, she decided to at least attempt to make it there. Youko had probably been watching over her the entire time she was out, so
she didn't want to wake him.
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"Hey" Youko's ears twitched as Kuronue's voice reached his ears. "Wake up man!" Youko's golden eyes flickered open, it took him a moment to come to as he
sat up and turned his attention to Kuronue. The bat stared curiously at the bed Cheza had been earlier, "…..where's Cheza?" Youko to looked towards the
bed, expecting to see Cheza. The fox quickly jumped to his feet, now completely out of his sleepy state, "Damn it! Where the hell could she have gone!"
"Maybe the doctor took her to the hospital wing?" Kuronue replied. Youko disappeared in a blur, no doubt to other side of the castle where the hospital was
located.
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Cheza sat on a stone bench that lay stationed in the long hallway leading to the dining hall, panting heavily. The trip to the dining hall proved to be rather
difficult considering her current state. " Well ,well, well, you must be Cheza." Upon hearing her name, Cheza averted her gaze to a man with black hair and pale
skin, a strange black cloud radiated around his body. The man stood around 6'3 and had dull gray eyes. Cheza had never seen this man before, was he new? "
It's nice to meet you Cheza, Zmeu has told me all about you."
Cheza's eyes widened, what did he just say!? The mysterious demon man sat down next to her, " I'm sure you've figured it out by now..but in case you
haven't, I was recently hired to replace a guard that unruly fire demon killed. Little does Mukuro know, I am really a spy working for Sinister. I didn't think it'd be
this easy to get to you, maybe I should kill you while I have a chance. Sinister would be quite pleased." Cheza's eyes darted around the hallway and to the
end for signs of life, the place was like a ghost town. Where was everyone? "There is a meeting being held right now, no one is around to save you." The man
replied as if reading her thoughts. Cheza quickly got to her feet, the man made no attempt to follow suit. "Hmm..seeing as how you appear injured I'll give you
a head start" Cheza eyed the doorway towards the end of the hall leading to the dining hall. Surely someone would be inside; a cook, a servant, someone!
She turned to run, but stopped short when she heard the sickening sound of bones crunching. Slowly she turned to the demon man, his body was beginning to
transform into nothing but a black mist with red glowing eyes. Razor sharp claws began to grow from the demon's finger tips along with a pair of massive black
wings. What kind of demon was this guy!?
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Youko's ears twitched as he stood in the doorway of the infirmary. The fox had found no evidence Cheza was or had been there. Trying to keep his temper
under control he turned to leave, he stopped short when he heard an all too familiar voice screaming his name from clear on the other side of the castle. In a
split second the fox was gone, practically leaving an after image of himself.
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The sound of footsteps fast approaching averted both Cheza and the demon man's attention. Cheza watched wide eyed as the demon hovered across the
floor towards her. Her heart began to race as the demon inched closer and closer to her. She closed her eyes bracing for impact just as the rapid footsteps
finally reached her. Her eyes slowly opened meeting with a golden pair. Glancing around the hallway she realized the demon was nowhere in sight, had Youko
already killed him? " are you okay kitten? I sensed a demon, where did it go?" That answered that question, the demon either got away or was
currently hiding somewhere..but why? Maybe he realized he was no match for Youko, Cheza concluded. Relief washed over her as she got to her feet with the
help of her lover. "I don't know, he just..disappeared. " Youko's eyes narrowed, he turned around examining the hallway they were in. Numerous doors
occupied the left side of the hallway, the demon could be hiding behind any one of them. Cheza jumped as she felt something tickling her foot, looking down a
startled scream escaped her lips. A clawed hand shrouded in black shadowy mist was coming through the floor and now pulling her through. Her entire leg had
disappeared through the floor before Youko had a chance to react. Grabbing a hold of her arm, the fox attempted to pull her back towards him but to no avail.
It was as if she was stuck in quicksand, Youko quickly realized what he was up against…a shadow demon. By now her whole body had been engulfed by the
shadowy mist, all that remained was her head and the one arm Youko was holding onto for dear life. The look of terror radiating from her eyes nearly made
Youko lose it, that look would haunt him forever. In a matter of seconds Cheza's armed slipped through Youko's grip and with one last scream she disappeared
completely into the shadowy depths of the floor.
Multiple footsteps could be heard coming towards the fox, soon Mukuro, Hiei and numerous guards appeared. Hiei locked onto the distraught fox, something
bad had clearly transpired. He could smell Cheza's scent mixed in with that of a demon. Youko turned to face them, the fiery rage coming off of him was so
intense Hiei took a step back. Hiei had seen his foxy friend ruthlessly slaughter numerous demons in the past, but never had he seen such an intense look on
the fox's face before nor had he felt such intense emotions coming from him either. Everyone remained dead silent as Youko clinched his hand into a fist, his
nails digging into his palm causing blood to drip to the floor. Hiei entered his friend's mind and the events that had happened only moments before flooded his
mind. Cheza had been taken, no doubt would she now face the wrath of Sinister.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Hiei clinched his fist in anger, his ruby colored eyes narrowing into a deep scowl. That shadow demon had fooled not only him but Mukuro as well. How could
they have been so blind? What if it had been Yukina who was taken away because of one careless mistake. A growl escaped his lips, he absolutely had to find
Cheza before it was too late. All hope would be lost if this one human girl died.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The shadow demon who had taken Cheza pushed her though large pair of wooden doors. She was clearly in another castle, but this one was even larger than
Mukuro's. The ceiling was so high up it would take days to reach it! Her eyes fell upon a large throne, one that appeared big enough to fit a giant.
" Master, I have a present for you." Cheza looked around the room, they appeared to be the only ones occupying it at the moment. "And what is it you have
brought me?" came a deep voice laced with pure malice. "Cheza." Cheza turned her attention back to the throne upon hearing movement coming from it.
Before her eyes a pair of large scaly dark purple feet appeared, then a pair of massive legs the size of tree trunks, followed by a torso then a head. The pure
size of the demon was enough to intimidate Cheza, not to mention the razor sharp teeth and claws that were nearly her height .
So this was sinister, the demon that had killed her and now here he was fixing to do the same once more. Cheza took in his appearance once more. His head
was eerily similar to that of a t-rex, only differences being the purplish skin tone and freakishly long teeth. His body appeared humanoid along with his legs,
although they were thousands of times larger than any humans possibly could be.
Cheza took a step back as the giant monstrosity rose from his throne. A purple mist began to engulf Sinister's body, completely hiding him from view. Cheza's
heart began to race as the mist slowly began to fade away, soon the shadow of a man appeared. The mist finally dispersed revealing a handsome man with
short black hair and purple eyes. He approached Cheza with a grin, " I don't know if you remember me, I am Sinister. I am responsible for your past death as
well as your future one."