Author's Note: So it's 5:30 in the morning and I've been up since 3:00 to send my husband off to work. Thus, to bide my time until he makes it to his job in another state and just because I'm paranoid and want to make sure he gets there before trying to sleep again, I decided to update! Yaaay! -is half delirious-
DoppleGengar: Heeeeeeyyy... I effin love you too. XD
Song for Chapter:
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead - The 69 Eyes, Back in Blood
Chapter Eight: Allies
Kuronue had diligently watched over the small demoness who had returned his life. Though her wounds had closed, she was obviously in insufferable pain, for she remained unconscious for well over a day since his resurrection. Her temperature had fluctuated, ranging from burning so ferociously her skin steamed when water was poured on her, to so cold her body turned pale and her lips and fingernails were a bruised blue.
To say he was only looking after her to keep his own body from being sent back to the realm of the dead would only be a half truth. The woman held answers to the onslaught of questions roaring through his head. Besides, he did owe her, and even as a former thief he had his honor intact.
He had only left her for a few hours at one point, and that was just to retrieve some clothing. Unfortunately, the spell used to return him to the living world of demons did not give clothing to go along with it. He had been forced to choose between nudity, finding his own clothes, or wearing the white and purple ensemble he found in her pack. Instead, he simply ran to one of the former hideouts used by his old gang- blissfully abandoned, mind you- and was able to procure an outfit identical to the one he frequented in his first life.
Otherwise, the male had not left her side for more than fifteen minutes at the most. Even then, it was only to gather water from the fresh stream or slaughter anything that came close enough so he could indulge his empty stomach.
He studied her often, if only to find something to do, and found the girl to be an enigma. She was pretty, for one thing, and if there's a single thing Kuronue remembered, it was pretty females were usually weak. It had been made clear to him that this one was far from the case, despite her height and appearance, for she had summoned him back from the dead without killing herself in the process.
Was she Youko's mate? He noticed the markings on her neck but could not place the youki that barely fluttered from it. Kuronue had been dead for ages now, thus he could have simply forgotten what his old partner's energy felt like. If this was the case, the spry fox had not done too badly, but her short stature was surely a hindrance to the seven-foot male.
She was obviously a mother, and he knew as much from her scent and how determined she had been when summoning him. A mother would go to the ends of their life to save their offspring, no matter the dangers that lurked in every shadow.
If Youko trusted this woman, he certainly had to. He would have to wait to get his answers, and in the meantime he would contemplate until he knew all the questions he wanted to ask her.
~:.:{The Party's Started and It's Better When You're Dead}:.:~
Immeasurable pain had been her world for an eternity now, but at last the haze had lifted and a small groan came from her lips. One thing was for sure, Kotone was sore as hell and absolutely miserable.
Her eyes stirred open and she instantly was thankful for the thick canopy coming from the trees. Wait, trees? She was certain she had been in a bamboo forest before she fell unconscious.
Unnerved pale eyes darted around the clearing, the wind picking up around her. The wary gaze landed on a tall man with long dark hair and piercing indigo eyes that was staring back at her, a lopsided sort of smile on his face. She growled, not recognizing him at first with his hair up and hidden in that ridiculous hat- or clothed, for that matter-, but sense finally came through and she blinked in surprise.
"Curious," she murmured, her voice throaty and cracked.
The male moved closer, maintaining just enough distance to keep her from lashing out, should she decide to. He gently tossed a canteen to her and she achingly picked it up.
While she was wetting her throat, he spoke, "What makes you say that, little Kotone?"
"I assumed you would scamper off the moment I was unable to stop you," she shrugged. "Did you move me?"
He nodded and she understood without words being offered. He did not want to stay in the same place where he had once died. She knew the feeling too well. Tourin had a specific place she refused to ever go again. Even after all these years, a dark presence loomed there, one tainted by gore and horrid memories.
"I have some questions."
"I have answers," she cryptically replied.
He quirked a brow, disappearing under his worn cap, and his grin grew. "You know Youko?"
"His human counterpart is a close friend of mine. I would assume me and the fox are friends as well," she offered. "To answer the next question coming, his spirit escaped to Reikai, where it was hunted, and then it escaped again to Ningenkai and took refuge in an unborn child without a soul. Basically, there's a human side to him that is much more moral than the dark spirit within."
"Well, that answered a lot. Tell me, who have you mated?"
It was Kotone's turn to let a single brow rise. She decided it would be best to be honest with him, considering they would be spending quite some time together. "A fire apparition named Hiei, second in command of Alaric. We have two grown children together."
"Ah, so I was right. You are a mother," he chuckled. "Only a mother would go to the lengths you have to make sure you're offspring are safe."
She could not help but give a small, pained smile. It hurt to breathe, let alone move any of her sore muscles. "Yes, you are right. Unfortunately, my task is not done and you are not the last that shall smell the air of Makai once more."
Kuronue grew even more curious and scooted closer to the woman. "This is a foolish task, you realize? My resurrection nearly killed you."
Her grin grew crooked, "Yes, but this time I have assistance. It will hardly do such damage with another party present. Besides, the more powerful the resurrected, the more strain on the body."
The bat scoffed and said, "You insinuating I'm not powerful?"
"Not at all. In fact, our next target is probably weaker than you are. You just happened to be the closest."
He leaned beside her against the tree and offered a hunk of bleeding meat to the demoness. She did not hesitate, ignoring her protesting limbs, and snatched up the piece before devouring it whole. He grinned even wider.
"Well, when are we leaving then? You can tell me more of the war on our way."
Her eyes narrowed shamefully and she moved them to the ground. "I would like to leave immediately, but I fear my body has not healed well enough to move. My youki has barely started to return and is fighting the inner injuries."
Kuronue stood and gathered her pack, slinging it across his shoulders and making sure it did not hinder his wings. Kotone grew suspicious at this, wondering if he decided to run now that he knew she was incapable of pursuing him.
Her surprise was evident when he instead moved closer to her and offered a hand. The wind demoness gently placed her hand in his, eyes never opening fully and obviously unnerved. Once her fingers wrapped around his, he quickly hoisted her up into his arms and laughed at the gasp of shock.
"If there's one thing you should've learned from the old fox, it's that I greatly value a partnership. You just happen to be the lucky one to get such a high honor," he joked and his wings twitched. "Where to, princess?"
She scowled, not very fond of being carried, but the sentiment behind his words was appreciated. She had not wanted one of her children or Akiye to accompany her for the danger they would face, but Kuronue was not only an exception, he could be expendable. Of course, she certainly did not want his life to be taken and especially not before he saw Kurama again after so many centuries. This bat demon would be her companion, the first of the group she would be using to end this war.
"So I suppose this does make us partners. Good." She smirked up at him. She did not have Daiki or Hajime in these dark times, but she would make do with this one. "If you fly, do it low and remain unseen." Obviously, her philosophy of 'if we were meant to fly, we would have wings,' could not apply to this situation, so she would accept it. "That way, Kuronue."
"You got it, doll."
~:.:{Devil's Got Your Soul, They Won't Let Us Into Heaven}:.:~
"I just don't understand!" an unruly voice snarled from the corner of the sitting room. Her red eyes were blazing and she was pulling on her short, curling red hair. "Why wouldn't she let us go with her?"
Quietly, across the room another sat, contemplating while she ranted. "Avaron, it will do you no good to keep growling and whining. Petulance will not solve our problems."
"Why you-"
"Oh stop it," Izume added hurriedly, cutting Avaron off from attacking her brother. The wind demon merely nodded in thanks to the Mazoku heir. "Yuji, you said your mom being all cryptic meant something, right?"
"My mother is very perceptive, especially when it comes to us," he gestured to Avaron and himself. "I believe she was trying to send a message. I've already attempted anagrams and things of the sort, but instead it comes to the same conclusion; nothing."
From the other end of the couch, a squeak of a voice spoke, "Perhaps it was not meant to be taken so cautiously. You could be overthinking it, Yu."
Yuji closed his eyes and focused, rubbing tanned hands against his temples to try and work out the conundrum his mother had left them with.
She had departed just over a week ago and word had already reached the entire dojo that the war was in full swing. Blood was spilling and battles were being fought while the children restlessly sat in another world. It was maddening to the point that Shoichi, Tadao, and Avaron were snapping at everyone and all knew it would only be a matter of time before they stole away into the night.
Koume had been the only rational one out of the group, save Yuji, and his cousin desperately tried to help him work out the enigma left behind for them. She was intelligent, but so far nothing had come up.
Until now.
"Koume, you are a genius," Yuji proudly said and leapt from the couch, enveloping the koorime into a tight hug. "Mother was telling us to seek out the other demon clans that have not tried to involve themselves in this war."
Shoichi grinned, nearly mirroring his father's, "I knew Aunt Ko wouldn't make us sit here and twiddle our damn thumbs!"
"I don't think it's that," Koume mumbled, garnering attention. Just like her mother and the adult group, everyone else could be shouting but all the koorime had to do was whisper and all went silent. "I think she knew we would try to leave anyways, but instead of letting us wander off somewhere dangerous, she was trying to deter us from the main battles."
"Yeah, obviously the fact that these clans are not in the war keep them far away from it," Tadao grunted, crossing his arms stubbornly. "I say we go."
"Well of course we're going, idiot!" Avaron smacked him upside his head, using the flat of her palm and nearly sending the spiritually aware humanoid sprawling. "Fool."
"Uncle Hiei's prodigy, that one," grumbled a sore and irritated Tadao.
"Anyways, since Mother knew we were going to go," Yuji continued for Koume, "she did send us somewhere out of harm's way. That way, we did not distract any of our loved ones. When shall we leave?"
"Tonight," the three most anxious chorused and glanced at each. They smiled excitedly and high-fived one another, Tadao's previous spat with Avaron forgotten.
"Unfortunately, at least one more of us needs to remain behind," added the wind demon. It caused an uproar. "Only one in the house would be capable of defending it if anything happened. I mean, Aunt Mizue cannot fight due to her pregnancy, Aunt Keiko is still essentially a human, and Aunt Yukina is too nice."
Everyone looked between themselves, trying to debate on whom the poor sap to stay behind would be. Unfortunately, none volunteered and drastic measures had to be taken.
"Ready?"
"Set!"
"GO!"
Six hands shot out, each holding one of three variations and against a single opponent. Yuji, Avaron, and Izume stepped aside with confident smirks on their faces. They had won the first round and were sure to go on the mission.
The remaining three each gave varied looks, wondering who would duel first. Koume finally sighed and shook her head. "I will not be doing much good when with you guys, save if healing is necessary, so I will remain behind to avoid getting in anyone's way."
Tadao glanced between Shoichi and Koume, his face troubled and his brows furrowed. At last, he dropped his hands back to his sides and groaned. "I can't just leave Koume here. I'm not even going to do this. I'll stay behind and make sure everyone's safe. It's what Dad would have said was the honorable thing to do."
Shoichi patted his friend's shoulder in silent praise, his own look hard. "You can do it, Tadao-"
CRASH!
The earth rumbled and a loud ruckus broke the immediate conversation of the group of teenagers. They shared a glance before rushing outside, weapons drawn. The wind rippled around Yuji as fire danced across Avaron's knuckles. A chilling cold was coming from Koume, ready to protect her loved ones, and Tadao's Spirit Sword had manifested. Markings of the Mazoku became present across Izume's face while Shoichi held his fingers up in the perfect gun position.
Not far away, the main dojo gave birth to the four women that had been having their own private discussions within. Akiye was more than at the ready, holding the other three behind her protectively and staring at the enormous cloud of dirt and debris that had shot up at the crash site. Unfortunately for the group, it was far too close to the dojo for comfort and they waited with baited breaths.
"I told you I didn't want to fly and when you finally get me to agree, you crash land us! What kind of Windmaster are you?! When I told you to slow down, you should've listened!"
"I got overly excited, I did! Gets ta see meh baby sista!"
The group immediately recognized the banter, the strange accent, and their weapons slowly dissipated. Many were trying to stifle their laughter while others had taken to a fierce scowl. It was Avaron who acted first, as usual for the impatient fire apparition.
She stomped forward just as Yuji threw the wind out, eradicating the cloud of dirt to reveal Jin and Touya wrestling fruitlessly on the ground. Avaron easily snatched up her redheaded uncle, knocking him soundly over the head before releasing the much taller demon.
"Uncle Jin, you idiot! We thought you were intruders! Hello, Touya."
The ice shinobi merely nodded at the girl before turning his attention back on Jin. The Windmaster had regained his composure after the fierce and abrasive assault on his head. "Oi lass! Be a right shame to damage these noodles! Now, where's yer dear mother, eh?"
"She's already left, Jin," Akiye softly said, walking up beside Hiei's miniature. The heat that radiated off the two fire demonesses was nearly unbearable to be around.
"Yeah, about a week ago, actually, give or take," Mizue added, wobbling over to the amassing group.
"Ya've got ta be kiddin' meh!" Jin shouted, stomping his foot like an angry child. "Been lookin' fer her e'erywhere, I have! Where's the lass done and gone?"
The few there shared a look, but Yuji stalked up and spoke before any other could, "We don't know, Uncle. She refused to tell any and would not allow company on her trip."
"Well, that makes things a little harder. Are we going to go back and help Yusuke and the others, then?" Touya glanced up at his companion. The determination in the Windmaster's eyes had said it all. "I suppose not. When are we leaving?"
"You plan on going after her?" Akiye quirked a brow. "She could be anywhere in Makai or Ningenkai!"
A toothy grin spread across the redhead's face, a fang protruding one side of his lip. "Gotta understand me connection with Ko, ya do. All I gotta do is poof and I find her!" To accentuate his point, the wind churned and rocked around him. "Though, I gots ta be in the right world, ya know."
"And why didn't we do this in the beginning?"
"There's no point if I knew where she was, now is there?" Jin cocked his head and tried to ignore Touya's scowl. "Mind if we get some food in us, do ya? Just somethin' to take along the road and munch, munch!"
Keiko scampered over and burst between the small crowd to face the newcomers. "I'll feed you anything you want, just give me details on the war, please! Is Yusuke alright?"
Touya responded, "We left before it got really bad, but we heard rumors right before we jumped through the barrier to Makai. Apparently, when we left, the war had been in full swing for three days. Yusuke and Mukuro's troops had retreated and Yomi had given them a grace period to nurse the wounded. Even with two kings against one, it's not looking good for our side."
"I am on no side with that bitch Mukuro!" Avaron clenched her fists angrily. "If it wasn't for the fact my mother has first dibs, I would stake a claim on that freak's head!"
"Calm down lassie," Jin soothed and patted his niece on the head. "No point in gettin' all crazy."
"Well, thank you Jin, Touya," Keiko mumbled, the worry obvious across her tired features. The usual immortal radiance seemed to dull with her fears. "Come on, let's get you two something to take along with you."
"Yes, thank ya."
Next in 'Revelation, Defamation':
With Kotone awake and her trust now placed fully in Kuronue, they set off to resurrect the next of her undead battalion. This one was closer to home, someone remembered, and she was not the only one that knew it. Though Mukuro did not know what Kotone was up to, she knew the banished wind apparition would eventually make her way back to one place in Makai and had others waiting for them. Of course, no one knew she would have a comrade with her...