Song for Chapter:
Welcome to the Family - Avenged Sevenfold, Nightmare

Chapter Six: Undead

Jin had been gone for quite some time, though for reasons he had not allowed his sister to know. Truth-be-told, he knew the war was to start any day, and in lieu of things an important event had been forgotten by many, an event that would come to pass in about a weeks-time.

Kotone's birthday.

One might think, in the heat of all this mayhem, a birthday was not important and should not be concerned with. In fact, this was exactly how his sister had thought. She had made sure to tell him to ignore her birthday and concentrate on the war at hand instead of something so frivolous. In her words, "There's many more birthdays to come when this war is over. If you're so damn worried about it, celebrate extra the next time it comes around and we aren't so preoccupied."

Of course, if there's one thing Jin is known for, it's his loyalty. Almost a century ago, he had finally gotten his beloved little sister back when he believed her to be dead, and ever since not a holiday had passed he was not around her. He cherished her more than anything- well, except his niece and nephew maybe-, and considering he had yet to find a mate this was not an inexcusable feeling. He needed her like air, and she knew that, even if she did not like it.

Thus, he had dragged Touya along on a trip to the furthest edges of Makai to retrieve the best thing he could think of for a birthday present. The war was the furthest thing from his mind at that time, all in hopes of making it back to give her something special for the day that should have been set aside by all to celebrate. Only now, nearly two months later, were they returning.

"I can't wait ta see the smile on 'er face, I can't!" Jin was beaming from pointed ear to pointed ear, a bag thrown carefully across his shoulder as he floated beside his much shorter friend. "Think she'll be as excited as usual, Touya, eh?"

Touya spared a glance at the exuberant Windmaster. "She never really gets excited, Jin. Especially during these times, I believe she'll pummel you."

"A beatin' I'll take, I will! She'll love it, I know she will." Jin ignored the roll of the eyes Touya offered in return, just as they approached the giant cockroach that was Mukuro's fortress.

"Whoa, what do you two think you're doing?" Yusuke had appeared on the scene, though he jumped between them and the fortress. "That's not a good idea, trust me."

"And why's that?" Touya crossed his arms and quirked a brow. "Jin has been dying to give Ko this damn present we've been hunting for the last few months."

Yusuke laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head and ruffling his outrageous hair. "Well, you see-"

"She isn't here." Hiei had seemingly appeared from nowhere, his expression blank. His friends knew better, for they could see the myriad of angry emotions dancing in his blazing eyes. The mere thought of her had him reeling with hatred for the King of Alaric.

"Why's the lass gone? Heard some battle noises I did. She better not be on the frontlines or I'll fiddle with your thinkin' trap!" Jin's rambling was immediately shut up by a strange look Yusuke sent Hiei. The fire demon narrowed his eyes and cast his gaze up towards the windows of the fortress, only to see a figure recede out of sight. "What's goin' on 'round 'ere?"

"Let's talk over there, shall we?" Yusuke pushed the two further away from the fire demon and towards his own castle. He only stopped to give Hiei one more look before he disappeared once more. The moment he was gone and they were near the door to his fortress, the King of Tourin spoke, "Look, she isn't here. Come inside and I'll explain what's going on."

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"I'LL KILL THE FLOOZY-WHATS-IT LASS, I SWEAR IT!" Jin's rage was well-earned, though Yusuke kept him from flitting from the room by means of his element. "Best be movin', Urameshi!"

"Now calm down! Kotone planned this!" screamed the Mazoku. "If you go and get yourself killed I'm pretty damn sure she'd be pissed! Now put your damn feet on the ground and shut your trap!"

When Jin obeyed, Touya spoke, "Attacking Mukuro would be foolish. Part of the war has begun as Yusuke's said, so we have to be careful. Breathing could be lethal by this point. Yusuke, you said she went to Genkai's temple?"

"Yeah, with the other women. The kids are all there too." Yusuke glanced out of his window, trying to figure out if Mukuro had found a way to eavesdrop. Even if he could not confirm it, his voice was hushed. "You're going over there, aren't you?"

"You bet yer arse I am!"

"You should probably stick around. We could really use you here. Both of you, obviously."

Jin narrowed his eyes on the ex-Spirit Detective. "Been searchin' two months for me sister a present and now tha' I got it, I'll be deliverin' it! Understood?"

Yusuke, despite the direness of the situation, nodded in understanding. "Yeah, yeah, just hurry up and find out what she's got up her sleeve. She's planning something with Kurama we aren't in on."

"Well Daiki and Hajime are probably investigating the Kurama situation," Touya mumbled, also careful to keep his voice down. "They usually follow Kotone's crazy plans and since they don't know, they've probably figured out the place to go for ideas is the fox."

"Good, that asshole needs to get knocked around. I know he's on our side and all but I'm sick of not knowing what is going on. I'll just keep knocking heads until the war is over," Yusuke snorted, pouting childishly. "Hurry up before Mukuro gets suspicious. Wait, punch me Jin."

Jin looked both shocked and horrified. "Ya've gone and lost yer damn mind, ya have! Why am I ta be punchin' ya?"

"So Mukuro thinks I threw you out because you went ballistic about Kotone being banished. That way you're gone from here for a reason after just getting back, I gain her trust a little more, and you can find Kotone and get some information."

"Not to mention you get a free punch at Urameshi," added the ice demon quietly.

With a shrug, Jin took the opportunity and laid a windy punch straight into Yusuke's jaw, nearly sending the King of Tourin through the wall of his own castle. The Windmaster stretched his arm with a beaming grin and sighed.

"Maybe it was worth it."

"Yeah, well next time hit a little harder. It felt like a little girl just punched me," Yusuke joked. "Hurry up and leave."

The two were out of the castle and sprinting before another word was mentioned. An unspoken agreement had been made. Yusuke made sure they got out of there safe, and in return he wanted Keiko and his children checked up on. It was a fair trade.

"She's planning something crazy, I just know it." Touya kept pace with the Windmaster, never sparing a glance his way.

"Her plans don't always work, mate. Hope she has a right wild one up 'er sleeve!" Jin could not stop smiling. It was not the war in his mind or the threat of death. His sister was indeed alive and she would find a way to help out. It was in her nature to do the right thing, even if she never admitted it aloud. He would help her. "Hurry up slow poke! Runnin' behind, ya are!"

~:.:{We All Have Emptiness Inside, We All Have Answers To Find}:.:~

Hiei joined Mukuro's side the moment he left, meaning to reconcile with her in case she had thought he was committing treason. No, he stayed for his mate, and that was the only reason he planned on keeping his katana still in the presence of the female king.

Long ago, Hiei had cared for only himself. He killed for pleasure and had a Jagan eye implanted to seek revenge and his sister. Only then did he begin to care for another, and Yukina had started this flurry of emotions that had escalated over time. Never in his wildest dreams did he believe he would find a suitable mate, one he valued more than his very life. Not only that, but children were never in his future.

Until she came along.

Now he had entire entourage of people he wished to live, those that might die any moment now. Not only that, but one he once trusted tried to kill off his offspring, his reason for breathing. The mere thought had him bubbling in rage, his skin taking a sickly green color.

He quenched it for them.

Appearing at Mukuro's side in the room full of windows was harder than one might believe. He wanted nothing more than to rip her to shreds, but Kotone had asked him to stay and gain her trust. She had a plan and he would make sure he did his part.

"What is the update and why are they here, Hiei?" Mukuro stared at him evenly before her gaze returned to the windows. They could see Jin, Touya, and Yusuke entering the King of Tourin's fortress by this point. Leagues away, they could also see where a small contingent were fighting some of Yomi's troops. The blood could be smelt from here.

"They search for Kotone," he said indifferently. He did not have to say much more before Jin and Touya tore through the fortress and into the foliage, running as fast as they could manage. A burst of light erupted from the King of Tourin's throne room, soon followed by an angry Yusuke. "It would appear Yusuke has told them news they did not care for. Fool."

"We don't need them causing trouble around here anyways. I am surprised at you, Hiei. I would have thought you would be upset over your mate's plight." Mukuro stared at him once more.

Hiei snorted, "The wench did not realize whose side she should have been on." The very words in his mouth tasted like a foul infection.

Mukuro smiled darkly and placed a hand on his shoulder as she passed by. A loving squeeze was given and the fire demon did all in his power to keep from twitching. "Very good, my second. Now, go and see how the troops are doing."

Hiei stormed away the moment he could, the burning touch of the King of Alaric making his skin crawl beneath his shirt.

~:.:{It's Been Done, A Casualty Re-Run, Welcome To The Family}:.:~

Kotone had been in the same spot for days. Her body quivered and ached, but never did she cease her movements. Her mouth moved in a silent chant, fingers bound together and seated upon the dirt. Bamboo sprigs shot up all around her in a sharp and deadly forest, one few traversed within.

The ground began to quiver and she could feel her energy being suckled clean from her body. Muscles tore and gashes appeared across her flesh, though small in size. Despite the pain, she did not stop. This was the first of many stops she would make and if she succumbed now, all hope was lost.

From the ground tore a hand, skeletal in nature with muscles and sinew trying to grow across it. The smell alone was horrid, the stench of rotting flesh and age-old bone decay assaulting her senses with a vengeance. Bile rose in the back of her throat and only when the skeleton forced its way to the surface did she finish the chant that had been non-stop for nearly half a week.

"Who are you?" a raspy voice questioned and hollow eye sockets moved to her. "Girl, why... am I... here?"

Kotone swallowed the ration of food that tried to make a reappearance before she spoke, "I have called you back from the dead to serve a purpose. Your aid is needed and I fear without your assistance many lives will be taken."

"What..." it coughed, spurting dirt and worms from its growing fangs, "do you... mean?"

"War is waging," she whispered, her energy growing fainter by the moment. All was going towards the skeleton to repair the body it once had. "Many loved ones will die and I have made it my goal to stop this madness before I lose those I value."

"You... are smart... girl. Do you... really know... who I am?" The laugh that came from it was grotesque and wheezing.

"Yes, I have been made aware by an old accomplice of yours. I'm sure you know of who I speak. He was one you stood beside in the greatest portion of your lives," she forced a smile.

The body stopped, leaning heavily against a tree and upon the ground. His legs were still partially buried in the dirt, but it did not seem to bother him. "Yes... I know of who... you speak. He must have a plan... to send one such as you... to do his bidding."

"It was I who concocted this plan. He merely made a suggestion years ago without realizing. I simply listened and kept it," she mumbled, using her arms to support her weary body. "Do you accept life once more? It is not a full life, but one nonetheless."

The creature grinned, showing the dirt that was still caked beneath his teeth. Muscles now covered his body, but no flesh grew and the process ceased. "What are the conditions... little one?"

'Good, he's just as intelligent as described. That's favorable.' Kotone rubbed face and placed her gaze on him. The white-blue eyes were dulled from her dropping energy. "Your life will be tied to mine. Should I die, you will as well, no matter our distance from one another. It is not vice-versa and I will live should you perish. You will be restored to the form you had during the height of your previous existence. From there, we train to gain your strength and glory back and then we fight to survive. Should we be successful, your life will permanently be offered to you and will be separated from mine. Mind you, should I believe you will do something foolish, I have ways to kill you."

"Sounds... pleasurable. Go on..." He coughed roughly.

"I must give you blood and energy to fully come back, but before I do so a pact must be made. One forged of blood and youki that is undeniable once made. Our pact is that your life will be offered permanently once this war is over and you cannot betray me or my loved ones under penalty of ultimate death," she called to him. "What say you?"

He grinned, his fangs showing clearly now and his teeth yellowed from age. The skeletal man spoke, "I shall accept these terms, little one. I will be your second part for as long as necessary."

Kotone smirked and grabbed a twitching body that was slaughtered beside her. She dragged it over relentlessly and sliced open her palm. It was offered to the beast and he took it graciously after digging his muscled fingers into his own. Their blood, hers gleaming red and his a sick muck, intermingled as their youki flowed into one another. If she had thought she was weak before, she had been horribly wrong.

Hands still locked, she kicked the bleeding creature closer and ripped its heart out without another thought. What once was alive was now dead, only to give life to the deceased. With that, she thrust the dying demons heart within the muscled skeleton's ribcage.

Youki flared and Kotone screamed in agony. The gashes on her arms tore open into a haggard mess of flesh and bone. Her hand released itself from her ward and she crumbled to the dirt, silent screams trying to come from her lips. It felt as if she was dying as she had before and the pain in her own heart was nearly unbearable. She wanted to beg for death, but the thought of her children and Hiei kept her from such weaknesses.

Time did not seem to matter to the woman- it could have taken decades with what she felt- and she could not see the flesh regenerating across the once-undead demon. Youki was pulsing in and out of her vision erratically, a strange hue and one brighter than anything she had seen. It caused her head to ache harder and her concentration was placed on that pain instead of the wounds littering her form, the searing heat trying to rip her body apart.

A man's shout pierced the still night air and lasted for a few pulsing minutes. He was having trouble taking in the burst of youki that had once been his and it was only a matter of will if he lived or died this night. Kotone prayed he lived, for she would need some aid to continue on her quest. She would be vulnerable for at least a day and her only hope was placed on the creature she'd made a wayward pact of loyalty with.

His screams ended and his youki began to die down, now replaced with a chilling calm. Bamboo had been eradicated, shrubbery now burned to a crisp, but little thought was placed on that. Instead, he stretched out his aching limbs and grinned delightfully.

He was back.

The demon kneeled closer to the panting girl, one he had to admit he respected. Such a little thing could not have possibly done what she just did without dying, unless her youki was magnificent. Despite being reduced to a heap of blood and pain, she was a strong demoness that had sacrificed quite a bit to bring him back. He owed her his life, and not just in the literal sense.

"Little one, where is your bandages?" he murmured, noticing how labored her breathing was. She was in monumental pain and was fighting to keep it hidden from him. It nearly caused the man to laugh.

"P-pack," she stammered pathetically.

He saw a bag carelessly tossed aside nearby and hurried to it. Within, he was able to procure a canteen, a roll of bandages, and a jar of ooze he could not place. He recognized the handwriting across the label and his grin returned triple-fold.

The man returned to the woman's side and tore off a part of her shirt to wipe away what blood he could. He applied the goo to her skin, a sticky substance that kept the wounds from bleeding and instantly mended them. The bandages were set aside and he had deemed her well enough to not need them.

Once she seemed a bit more stable, he rolled her onto her back and poured some water down her throat. She accepted graciously and sipped what she could. She twitched and he took it as a sign to remove the water. Instead, he put it to his lips and hungrily devoured the liquid. Even then, his thirst was not quenched and he felt he could not only drink an entire ocean of water, but eat a country of food. First, he had to tend to his new companion.

"Can you sit up?" She nodded and he helped her up as best as he could. He had not gained as much control over his limbs as hoped, but what could he expect after being buried for more years than he dared count?

The redheaded female pushed off the ground and forced herself to stand completely. She wavered, but once she was steady the woman gently pushed him away. She gave a weak smirk and he found himself grinning even more.

"What is your name, foolish girl?" His tone was pleasing and he meant no harm in it.

She nodded her head and her smile became genuine. He did not know that few had seen this very look over the last few months.

Because her plan was working... He was alive and she had survived. It opened another door for ending this war and her hope was renewed.

"I am Kotone," she stated proudly, her shoulders square. The salve had mended her wounds but she still felt how the blood trembled within, the lack of youki nearly enough to topple her fragile form, "and it is a pleasure to meet you, Kuronue."

He smirked delightfully.

Next in 'Revelation, Defamation':
While Kotone did the unthinkable at the cost of her own energy, the possibility of her life, her friends did what they could to aid in different locations. Thus, Daiki and Hajime had been sent to what could be considered suicide. The leader of the Fox Clan, Hatsukichi, was known for her aversion to men. Would they perish in the den of the Fox Clan? And what is Yusuke doing in the heat of this war on the frontlines? Would they survive?