Author's Note: So, I have an excuse? I really don't, but I am sorry loves! I know this update took forever. This part of the year- as some of you remember- is the busiest time for me. Between Etsy commissions, cosplay costumes, getting my back tattoo completely redone (yeah, entire back... from shoulders to hips... fml), and suddenly becoming addicted to pokemon games again, I've been running like a chicken with it's head cut off.
DoppleGengar: Friggin Fire Nation! And there's more, trust me... You know I can't just make some quick to-do of a scene that could get violent. XD
Song for Chapter:
Hope of Morning - Icon for Hire, Icon For Hire
Chapter Fifteen: Captives
Avaron woke with a groan, her body aching and muscles sore. Her demon eyes could not properly make out her surroundings, due to an overwhelming darkness, but she knew something was not right. Upon trying to move her arms, her legs, she realized why.
She was shackled.
"What the hell?" came her throaty growl, cracked by lack of water and only causing her headache to increase. "Where the fuck am I?"
"Would you shut up?" The voice was familiar, but just as pained as hers. She tried her best to work her nose to catch his scent, and when she did, her stomach twisted.
Blood.
"Shoichi?" she called weakly.
"Yeah. You chained too, Ava?"
"Painfully so. Do you remember what happened? Where's my brother and Izume?" Her throat began to burn from overuse and she started hacking. A metallic tasting substance crawled up her esophagus and she recognized it without hesitation. She had been wounded as well.
"I don't know about them," he admitted, the anguish in his voice evident, "but we were attacked."
"By who?"
"Fire demons. We had barely got into their territory when hundreds swarmed us. I don't remember all of what happened from there."
"If they killed them..."
"We will tear this city to ground," he finished, agreeing with her whole-heartedly. "Can you summon your youki? My reiki is not working."
Trying with all her might, Avaron called upon her inner energy. A warm flame danced in the pit of her stomach, but otherwise, nothing happened. She snarled in frustration and regretted it moments after.
"I was afraid so. What the hell are we supposed to do?" Shoichi grumbled, the shackles clinking from across the room to signal he was attempting to move. It did little to help.
"We bide our time, Sho. If they know who we are, they're holding us ransom. If they don't, they want answers to why we are here. No matter what, they aren't killing us right now and that's all we have. But the moment we can, we strike and make them know our names as they beg mercy beneath us." Avaron spat blood upon the floor, ignoring the dull throb in her limbs in lieu of her fury.
Silence followed for a few moments after and the fire demoness wondered if her friend had passed out. When he spoke, she felt instant relief, "You know Ava, you sound a lot like Uncle Hiei."
She laughed.
~:.:{Sometimes I'm Afraid Of The Thoughts Inside}:.:~
Tadao and Koume had been in trouble for weeks, ever since their four friends left the temple to try and recruit more allies to the warfront. Keiko had been worried sick with Mizue, but Akiye and Yukina were furious. The adult koorime had told her children they were not to leave the clearing of the temple, all in punishment for not squealing on their friends.
They refused to do that.
Akiye, though enraged beyond belief, had decided to train with Tadao to try and take some strain off the constant boredom that was this temple.
At least, that was the case until a day ago.
A huge herd of demons had appeared and nearly sent the group running to avoid detection. They were upon them before they could even make it out the door, but none had been brandishing weapons. Instead, they had come in peace.
The leader, a demon named Youma, had informed the children and the adults both that they were told to come here by four teenagers. They were to bide their time here until another word was sent, but when they left, their elderly and their youth would be left behind to stay safe.
The four teenagers were slowly making a difference.
Even Akiye could not be mad at that.
Thus, the massive number of demons had begun to work together with the inhabitants of Genkai's temple. Barriers were set, made entirely out of wind, around the whole of the deceased hag's property. Hunters would go into the woods and stalk demons or any prey they could, only to come back and share it with any that needed the food. Tents had been haphazardly set up all around the temple and only a few were allowed to stay within its walls. These consisted of Youma and a few of his company, all of which were highly respectable.
"Tell me, Youma, you said Ava, Yuji, Sho, and Izu mentioned they were going to the fire demon clan next? What do you think of that?" Koume whispered gently to the leader of the wind demons, sitting beside him on a porch swing while training commenced in the open backyard.
"Ah," the blonde said carefully, his youthful features taking a note of pity that the koorime caught, "you see, little one, we wind demons are more open and carefree-" he did not mention how disinclined to join this war he was, "-but the fire demons hold horrid tempers. There's more of them than us, so I can only pray for their safety." He also did not mention that, unlike his own tribe, the fire demons usually did not take prisoners and instead took heads.
"They'll be safe," she said gently, though a smile did not come to her face. She was currently watching Tadao spar with a lovely wind demoness she had learned was named Tsubaki. "I have faith in them."
Youma only smiled at the ice apparition and nodded, her sweet demeanor reassuring in such dark times. He had grown awfully fond of her company, if only to take the edge off his usual harsh thoughts. She did not seem to mind him so much either, but he could only wonder if his pessimism harrowed her.
"Oi, Youma, sir," another wind demoness approached, her hair cropped to her shoulder and a stark white, "It has been days since we arrived and still no note from Yuji."
"Bide your time, Fujiye, and go spar with your twin. It seems that the boy, Tadao, is getting the best of her." Youma did not want any ill news to come when he had just been reassured by the koorime at his side.
"Yes, my lord." She bowed and scurried away from him.
"Yuji Tsukai always has his own agenda whether we know the details or not," answered Koume before Youma could speak. "Would you like to help make some tea? I'm sure Mother is tired and Mizue is far too close to her due date."
"Yes, that would be fine, Koume." He stood and followed her into the temple.
~:.:{I Don't Dare Let Darkness Have Its Way With Me}:.:~
"Are you sure you can handle this group alone?" Hajime whispered heatedly, his large hands firmly planted on Kotone's smaller shoulders. "This... this is a group destined for destruction."
"Yes, but where that destruction is aimed is my worry," she grumbled and shrugged his limbs from her form. "As much as I know this is going to be a disaster, I have to try. If I don't..." Kotone stared off towards the sea, the lulling waves her only reprieve. It brought her a sense of easiness, flowing with the winds across her face. It was pleasant.
"Ko, you sure you don't want us to come back here after we drop the lady off?" Daiki shoved a thumb over his shoulder towards Hatsukichi, who scowled in return. It was obvious the vixen was a jealous sort of demon, and seeing how close Kotone was to her two friends over the night had been an eye-opener. Where the fox thought these two were her friends, she really had no idea of what they were like. "I mean, you really could need us with this group of fuck-heads."
"No Dai, you need to stay with Hatsukichi. What she's doing is just as dangerous and she'll need the protection." Kotone gave a forced, lopsided smile, "Besides, I've made a couple of allies out of this group. The only ones that don't seem too keen on me- or me on them, in certain cases- are Raizen and Karasu, and I haven't really tried to talk to Toguro much."
"Well, as long as you're safe, we won't worry. Just... promise not to do anything else stupid." Hajime gave her a hard stare and she tried her best not to laugh.
"I think it's too late for that. When Enma finds out, I might get struck by lightning."
"Not funny, considering Yuji's running around. You sure he's an ally, Ko? I mean, I want the asshole back and all, but I just wonder if he's going to ream us up the ass again," Daiki hissed, glancing over his shoulder to see if anyone overheard, save the four present at the edge of the ocean.
Kotone rolled her eyes, ready to get to work while she still had the time. Precious moments were ticking away and she was growing worried her efforts would be wasted. "Go, all of you. I have work to attend to that is certainly going to be difficult."
With a flourish of hugs and a respectable nod to the kitsune dai youkai, the three set off in a boat made of souls, carrying them swifter than any other floatation could ever dream. Kotone stared after them until they were out of sight, a strange thread of unmistakable dread welling in the pit of her stomach. Something was not right, but she could not place it. Only time would tell...
And time was not on her side! She made haste back to the campsite, thankful the island was deserted save the wildlife, and found the entire group in their own sets, talking or doing something alone.
"Everyone," she called the moment she could be seen. Attention was placed on her, but none moved closer to listen. She could speak plenty loud enough for the entire island to hear, "We need to get started on our training. For all of you to be offered the full life I stated at the time of your rebirths, you will need to listen and listen closely. We will be splitting up and training in pairs for the first few days. I need to know where your power levels are currently."
"I thought you said we would return to the time we were most powerful," Kuronue said from beside Karasu, eyeing the bomb maker carefully when he thought he was preoccupied.
The kaze dai youkai nodded, though spoke, "Yes, and you all are, but there's a slight problem with that. Obviously the power is locked within, but we have to figure out how to tap into it. I mean, all of you have been dead for quite some time. Many longer than others." She gave a rather pointed look to the bat demon, "Once we tap into that power, we will be a force to be reckoned with."
"When did you get so good at the damn speeches, eh?" Genkai snorted and Kotone childishly stuck her tongue out at the psychic. The teasing was never-ending when it came to that spry old- err, young?- human.
"Shut up, hag. Anyways, once we have levels straightened out, we can properly put pairs together. Before the end of the two months we have left, I want us all to be able to act as a unit, one that can tune in to each-others attacks and so forth. This also means watching out for our comrades," this time the look went to the crow demon, "so be warned. Remember, I can take this life away just as easily as I gave it."
'Which, obviously, is quite painful and I would rather not,' her thoughts reverberated, though she was intelligent enough to keep from voicing them aloud.
"Let me suggest the teams," Genkai grumbled and stared across the expanse. "Well, considering we are humans and former teammates, me and Toguro should not be together."
"And why is that, Genkai?" Kotone had not heard him say much as a fully formed human, but his voice was deep and rich. She should not have been surprised, but she could not help it. Toguro, even as a human psychic instead of a high-ranked demon, was a very, very large man.
"Dimwit," she huffed and turned her attention back to the group, "we know our strengths with one another well enough. It would be stupid to put us together. We have to test ourselves against those we aren't used to."
"And no killing one another," Kotone added quickly, crossing her arms.
"Shut it," snapped the psychic. "Yuji, you're with Toguro. I'll be with Kuronue. That means Karasu and Raizen."
"And I'll be watching. Fun," grumbled the wind woman as she narrowed her eyes. "Everyone understand?"
"I detest being talked down to." Raizen surveyed the females carefully, as if debating on his next action, but thought better of it.
"We aren't talking down to you, damn it!" Kotone pulled at her hair. "I am going to need one strong ass drink when I am done with all of you. When I say strong, I mean a bottle the size of me of Ogre Killer."
"Yeah, and I'll join you." Genkai moved to Kuronue. "Let's get started."
The groups split up across the island, and it only took moments for the sounds that haunted Kotone's nightmares to surface. It reminded her of battles, noises she was sure the war in Makai was creating. Explosions, trees burnt by youki, waves of reiki, all of it was just as she expected.
'For the sake of all my children, let this turn out well.' The wind demoness bit her lip and leapt into the skies, ready to survey just what she had gotten herself into.
~:.:{And The Hope Of Morning Makes Me Worth The Fight}:.:~
"Oi, just what ta hell be goin' on 'ere?" Jin gaped at the scene before him. Never in his life had he seen this many demons at Genkai's Temple, not even at the wedding of Yukina and Kuwabara.
And they were all wind demons.
Those nearest Touya and the Windmaster gaped, falling silent or whispering to those around them. The fame was something Jin had not expected, and something he really did not care for. This was not why he was here.
They had just found Genkai's resting place... With a hole directly above the body and a psychic without a heart just beside it.
It was the fourth in a row... First a bamboo forest, then Yuji's grave, then Raizen's, now this...
"Oh Jin, Touya, it's only you two!" Mizue waddled right up to the pair, pushing wind demons out of the way as she progressed. When she finally made it, the two stared even harder at her enormous stomach.
"You've certainly gotten ready to pop," Touya said politely and the hanyou took it as such. "What's going on here?"
"Well-"
"Jin, as I live and breathe! What an honor!" A demon with blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes landed before the group, grinning wildly. His ears match the Windmaster's and two horns were perched on his crown. "You don't remember me, do you?"
"Eh, can't say ya be familiar, I can't." Jin furrowed his brows, "Who ta hell are ya?"
Instead of a scowl at the rude tone, the demon gave a contagious grin, "I'm Youma, leader of the remaining Wind Clan."
"Eh, I'll be slapped on me hiney and damned ta boot," mumbled the redhead in his usual, fast-paced drawl. "Doesn't answer why yer here, nope."
"I was getting to that before I was interrupted," Mizue huffed, glaring daggers at Youma. It shut the man up quickly, long ago having learned the wrath of the pregnant hawk hanyou. "Avaron, Izume, Shoichi, and Yuji left when we weren't on our guard. They've apparently been trying to aid in the war as best as they can by gathering up the clans that refused to participate."
"An attack happened too close to our village," continued the wind apparition. "We came here when the four told us it was safe and we're just waiting on word from the wind boy, Yuji, for us to mobilize our able troops."
Jin and Touya gawked, startled that the teenagers had accomplished such a feat. The Wind Clan had been known to be just as breezy and flighty as their element. To get them to come was actually rather impressive. Though, they knew the war was not anywhere close to that part of Makai and had to wonder if the teenagers had a hand in making them come.
No doubt they did...
"Ya mean me niece an' nephew did all that?" Jin grinned triumphantly, pride swelling in his chest. "Never been prouder of 'em, I haven't!"
"Come inside. Youma, we need privacy," Mizue snapped fiercely at the leader of the kaze dai youkai clan, noticing how he attempted to follow them. "Keep your followers at bay, would you? We have important matters to discuss."
"Uh, sure," he grumbled, obviously irked he was not allowed at the secret meeting. He did not complain or question her judgment, knowing the wrath that would follow.
Touya and Jin filed into the main dojo, where their friends had situated for a rest from the daily stress the wind demons brought. Koume and Tadao were nestled on the couch with their mother while Yukina and Keiko took up the loveseat. Mizue made a beeline for the recliner, though the two demons did not plan on taking up the last seat.
Instead, the two made themselves comfortable across the coffee table after their respective greetings. Touya, always trying to get down to business, quickly began, "Have you seen Kotone since we left?"
The five shared a look of confusion before Akiye jumped in, "No, we haven't. Have you?"
"Nope, the lass be givin' us the slip! But, she's been 'ere, she has!" Jin waved his arms frantically. "Tracked her right over the hill, we did."
"Strange, Kotone would usually stop by to check in," Keiko mumbled under her breath.
"Unless she had something else important to do," added Yukina. "We haven't seen her. I'm sorry, but we've been preoccupied."
"We could tell you had quite the house party without us." Touya weaved his fingers together and sighed, "We can't stay long. We need to keep tracking Kotone so Jin can get over this whole birthday fiasco."
"She needs it, she does!" Jin childishly pouted and no one saw how he fiddled with something in his pocket. "Just gunna get some grub an' whoosh! Be on our merry way, yup!"
"We can't stop you. Just tell Aunt Ko everything you've learned." Tadao stood and motioned Koume to follow. "Let's grab some leftovers for Uncle Jin and Uncle Touya so they can keep hunting."
"Yes, of course." The little koorime smiled at the duo and rushed into the kitchen.
The moment the door closed behind them, the room grew tense. Mizue was the one to break the silence, "What have you really learned?"
The males shared a hard glance at one another, neither really knowing what to tell the women. "Bunch o' holes an' bodies dead as dirt," Jin whispered, trying to keep the children in the other room from hearing. "Dunno what Ko be doin', but it ain't right."
"We just have to find her and trust her judgment. She's up to something, and it's big," Touya explained for his friend, considering the slur of words were nothing short of dreadful. "We promise we'll be careful. Just be thankful you have all these demons here to look out for you for the time being."
"Yes, we are," Keiko said and forced a smile. "I'm just worried sick. If you see Yusuke, Izume, or Shoichi, please tell them to be careful and I love them."
"Same for Kazuma."
"And Hajime."
"Don't worry, we will." As if on cue, Koume and Tadao returned with a few burritos wrapped tightly in tin foil. "Thank you, we mean it. Come on Jin, let's get going."
"Don't want ta be 'round all these wackos outside, I don't." With that, the Windmaster followed diligently after Touya into the open air, ignoring the gaping stares of onlookers. "I caught 'er wind! C'mon Tou, gotta go!"
As the two took off running through the trees, they passed by Fujiye and Tsubaki. The women stared after them as if they had grown two heads before Fujiye screamed, "Watch it!"
They didn't know it would not be the last they saw of Jin and Touya.
Next in 'Revelation, Defamation':
Yuji had always been known for his intelligence, his cunning, but a situation as drastic as this left him stumped. Izume was in danger, he was bleeding out, and there was nothing he could think of to remedy the situation. He needed his family now more than ever...