Get Out Alive
Chapter Three
"I want it in writing first." I told the Deity. I didn't trust him enough to just take his word for it. Koenma pulled out a pen and wrote quickly, before sliding the paper across the desk for me to read.
I, Lord Koenma, of the Reikai relinquish all jurisdiction on Itachi and cohorts sentencing and imprisonment upon location of their whereabouts. Punishment will be given to Mizushima, Yuna to be handled however she sees fit. Under no circumstance is the Reikai to interfere with Mizushima, Yuna's sentencing of her prisoners no matter the circumstances in which they pay for their crimes. In return Mizushima, Yuna will divulge all known information pertaining to Itachi and his cohorts, power, whereabouts, and ant future plans.
I hereby agree to the terms and conditions of this binding contract.
~Lord Koenma
He held his pen out waiting for me to finish examining the document for loop holes. I wiggled my fingers under the binds.
"You have to let me out first." Koenma nodded and his red head worker approached to unfasten the chains. I stretched my aching muscles and reached for the pen. After a final look over I signed my name below Koenmas. "His name is Itachi as I've said before, however I've heard his followers refer to him with a different name." I pressed my hand to my head trying to dredge up memories of his stupid name.
"Yes?" Koenma looked hopeful. I met his eyes, the name rushing to the forefront of my mind.
"They called him Moirai's Right Hand." I watched the deities jaw tick. His hands tightened into fists. "His greatest strength lies in manipulation and illusion. I've never witnessed anyone resist once he was inside their head."
"How did you resist him then?" I smirked at Koenma.
"He created me with the intention of making an unbeatable subordinate. A killing machine that obeyed it's master without hesitation. Unfortunately for him my defense alone far surpassed his telepathic power. Without being able to get into my head he had no way of controlling me, until he created that device you removed." My fingers brushed where the collar had rested, I was thankful it was gone. "He's dangerous because he can twist your thoughts and turn you against each other."
"Then you underestimate us you foolish woman." My head snapped to my left. There the small apparition stood, eyes closed and leaning against the wall like he owned the fucking place.
"If you honestly believe your mind is safe then you are the true fool." Crimson showed from between his lids as he returned my glare. A soft purple glow pulsed from his bandannas hidden confines, the tall tale sign of another's consciousness pushing at my own followed it. His energy randomly poked and prodded, diligently searching for a weak spot. He pushed himself off the wall and advanced toward me, his foot falls never making a sound on the linoleum. When he was within a foot of my being he stopped and ripped the white cloth off. A Jagan Eye sat in the center of his forehead. Its surgical implantation was flawless, had I not known better I would have believed he was born with it. It's purple hue increased in brightness showing its limitless power. The forcefull prodding doubled in intensity. The feeling was akin to a metal band encircling your skull then tightening, crushing down on the bone. I closed my eyes effectively breaking the Jagan's connection. The band's pressure significantly lessened.
"Hiei stop." Koenma voiced. A moment later the band disappeared. I resisted the urge to slump in my chair while the light headed feeling passed. He was strong for not being born with the appendage.
"Not good enough." I watched Hiei's back as he retreated to his wall. Resuming his post with crossed arms and a jaw clenched so tight I was certain it cracked some teeth. I faced Koenma, more than a little pissed he let that happen. "You should keep a tighter leash on your lackeys."
"Well I can assure you," he shuffled some of his papers mindlessly across his desk. "Hiei is not a spirit world...lackey, as you so eloquently put it. On that note neither are Yusuke and Kurama." He gestured to the two respectively. "They are simply doing me a favor by helping locate Itachi. It would be in your best interest to remain on their good side." I eyed the other two boys in the room. They couldn't have been much older than sixteen. The effeminate redhead and gel haired street punk didn't fit the look of heros.
"Where's the fourth?" I inquired. "When you found the girl there was a human with."
"Yes well this being a matter that primarily concerns the Makai you won't be seeing much of him." I nodded at his reply. It made sense they wouldn't send a human to that hell hole. "So, getting back on track, Itachi also known as Moirai's Right Hand is a strong telep-"
"You're not getting it," I shook my head trying to find a way to make them understand. "His telepathic ability isn't just strong. Strong is what your telepath is." I jerked my head in Hiei's direction. "Itachi is almost invincible, he can control hundreds of minds at once and not break a sweat. He doesn't use any kind of amplifier and doesn't even need contact. If you get within fifty yards of him he can control you."
"Well how the hell are we going to fight him then, and why didn't he turn us on each other when we found you guys?" Yusuke asked.
"Because when I severed his control over me I became a threat. He knows I can kill him and he has no way to protect himself. Which is the reason your job is to only find him. We already agreed the kill was mine."
"Fine fine, but if you can't kick his ass I'm next in line." He replied with a wide grin. I nodded my head, with no intention of relinquishing my kill unless I was dead. Turning my body back to the front of the room I stared Koenma down.
"I can't tell you the exact location of where he resides in the Makai, I only know that his fortress is mostly underground. The few times I left the training floor I remember the constant sound of running water. Possibly a river or waterfall." I squeezed my eyes shut, there had to be something else I remembered. The cold damp existence blended together making it hard to recall specific events. A white swirling substance danced behind my lids, the memory so faded I had to question if it was real. "I think it snowed once."
"You think?" Yusuke huffed.
"I can't be sure. It was when I was first taken there."
"Only the northern region of the Makai is known to have snowfall. We can begin our search there." Kurama spoke from behind me.
"I'll send some of Reikai's forces ahead to scout the area and create a grid. We can then begin a more thorough search when their outline is complete." Koenma was taking notes, his hand flying across the paige. "For now you'll be stationed at Master Genkai's dojo. She's agreed to house you until we complete this mission. But be forewarned she doesn't allow quests to stay for free. You must work for your keep. I'll be in contact." The boys stood at the obvious dismissal, but I remained stock still.
"What the hell am I supposed to do until you find him?" I spat.
"The grounds of Master Genkai's temple are vast, get reacquainted with the ningenkai." He shrugged, never looking up. Rigidly I stood and followed the three men to a floating whirlpool. Its shimmery colors swirled in endless circles. Two of the men already entered but the little bastard stayed behind, his red eyes watching me. Putting on a brave face I stepped into the portal, a cold rush enveloped my entire body and for a moment I couldn't breathe, then nothing. The smell of pine and dirt wafted to my nose and I could hear birds singing in the distance. I opened my eyes to a boundless field, trees lined the edge of the meadow and beyond the forest mountains reached out to touch the sky. A sturdy temple nestled in the heart of the yard completed the picture. The grass tickled under my bare feet and I wiggled my toes deeper into the earth. How does one reaquaint oneself? With about as much grace as a bag of rocks I dropped to the ground and stretched out on my back. The sun heated soil warmed my cool skin. I laid in that spot simply breathing in the fresh air until the sun disappeared into the horizon. The drop in temperature gave me the strength to pull myself up and head toward the dojo. The building was old but impeccably clean. Wondering the halls I searched for anyone else. The temple had looked large on the outside but the inside was unbelievable, I passed room after room. All spotless, impeccably neat and empty. Finally reaching the last door in the hallway I opened it to reveal a expansive living area. Diagonal to the door I walked through was an adjoining kitchen. Sipping tea quietly at the low table sat a tiny elderly woman.
"Master Genkai?" I questioned when I entered the kitchen. She tilted her head in my direction.
"So you're the girl Koenma's making me babysit." It was a statement, like I had truly inconvienced this old bitch.
"As you can hopefully see I am quite old enough to watch after myself thank you." I sneered loudly, emphasizing each word to help her understand.
"I'm old not blind or deaf." She smirked, her dull eyes connecting with my own. The powerful aura dancing behind those brown eyes informed me she was capable of taking me out.
"Well I'm sorry." I hurried to spit out. "I didn't know you would have to house me, I don't have money but I'll do any chores you want to lesson the burden." I tried to hide my grimace. I loathed domestic housekeeping, it was one of the few attributes that I retained from my previous life. She snorted.
"As long as you pick up after yourself I'll consider it half of your payment. The other half will be completing daily training."I studied her for any indication of a joke.
"I don't see how that is payment." I stated. "I planned to train during my stay regardless." She laughed, her voice raspy from age.
"What you consider training and what I consider training are two completely different things." She sipped her tea, a small smile still in place. "I suggest you get to bed, your regimen begins tomorrow." Confused by the old woman I turned to leave before remembering I had no idea where I was meant to sleep.
"Upstairs you'll find the bedrooms. You may take the third door on the left, the restroom is the fifth door on the right." She answered my unspoken question. With nothing left to say I exited the kitchen.
The room was small, holding nothing but a cot and empty closet. With nothing to put away I shut the door and walked two more rooms down. The bathroom was shockingly modern for such an old home. The corner was taken up by a square shower. A small cubby near the door held towels and wash cloths and thankfully the shower was already stocked with hair care products and body wash. Stripping off my dirty clothes I threw them on the floor of the shower, they needed to be washed just as badly as I did. I pulled the leather strap that secured my braid and set it on the counter, while finger combing my hair to the best of my ability. I fiddled with the knobs, frustrated that setting the temperature was so damn difficult. Deciding not to waste anymore time I stepped into the Luke warm water. What I could only guess were months of grit and grime circled the tile before sinking down the drain. Three full washes later I finally felt clean enough to focus on my clothes. The black shirt and shorts bled mud. I scrubbed until I could ring them and the water was mostly clear. Stepping out of the shower stall I rinsed the left over dirt and debris leaving it once again gleaming. Gathering my mess I went back to my assigned room, a towel wrapped securely around my torso. Hanging my wrung out clothes in the closet to dry I collapsed on the cot, sleep taking me as soon as my head hit the pillow.
A loud pounding at the door woke me up. Glancing out the window I noted the sun had yet to rise.
"Get up slacker!" Genkai's raspy old voice yelled from the other side of the door. "If you're not in the kitchen in five minutes I'm adding an extra two hours to your training today." I sat up slowly, more out of debt to the old bitty then fear of her threat. Pulling my hair into a long braid I grabbed my thankfully dry clothes from the closet and pulled them on. I entered the kitchen six minutes after Genkai woke me.
"You're late." She was sitting in the same place as yesterday.
"By like a fucking minute." I rubbed my still blurry eyes.
"Doesn't matter that's an extra two hours." I dismissively nodded my head in her direction. She gestured to the plate of uneaten food next to her. "Eat quickly."
Plopping down I mechanically shovled the food in not really paying attention to what I was eating. She stood pulling me with her, apparently I was done.
The morning air was brisk and dew still coated the plant life. She brought me to the entrance of her temple.
"I want you to run these stairs ten times as quickly as you can. Go!" . She shoved me forward, I stumbled a bit before taking off. Manipulating my energy I pushed it into my legs commanding them to move faster. The woods began to blur past, leaves and dust flying up in my wake. My mind came alive as I ran, the final dregs of sleepiness leaving. My muscles burned but I continued to push myself. By the tenth lap I was panting, sweat coated my brow, the burn in my muscles turned into a raging fire. Coming to a stop in front of the woman I bent over, hands braced on my knees while I gasped for breath.
"Why-" gasp "do you" gasp " have so many" gasp " fucking stairs?!" I yelled at her through my labored breathing.
"It took you twenty-five minutes." She clicked her tongue in disappontment. "We'll have to work on that. Follow me." I glared at the back of her grayish pink head. The following weeks stuck to the same routine. She'd give me a five minute wake up warning, which I was never late for again, make me run those damn stairs then climb one of the mountains on her property with two hundred extra pounds in weights and to finish off my day I'd meditate over a spike until my energy was completely depleted. She wasn't a mentor, she was the damn devil and I never signed up for this torture.
It was one morning three weeks in since I started her 'training' that she broke routine and lead me to an open area of land. We were far enough away that should our sparring go awry the main house wouldn't be harmed.
"How well can you harness your energy?" She barked at me.
"Very well. I've been practicing with it for seven years."
"I'll be the judge of that. Show me your strongest attack." Genkai demanded. I turned toward the forest hoping she didn't mind a few demolished trees. Pulling my energy from my core I felt it reverberate as I summoned it to the surface. Two violaceous coils began spinning horizontally around my torso thickening with each turn. Their speed increased until the air around me was lashing out dangerously. I focused on the forest and where exactly I wanted them to go.
"Flying Guillotine!" I screamed, blasting the energy forward and letting it spiral madly into the dense thicket. Trees shattered sending splinters, leaves and dirt flying through the air. When the attack finally dissipated three miles in of woodland lay scattered on the upturned ground, completely demolished.
"Impressive, but you're holding back." Genkai declared. I came out of my energy high to see her only a foot away from me.
"What are you talking about? I flattened that area!" I gestured wildly to her ruined landscape.
"Your energy is strong, but I could feel you holding back. Is that the only attack you know?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about I gave that attack my all. And that was only one of many." I replied hotly. I thought I had done well, but there seemed to be no pleasing her.
"I want a run down of everything you know, so I can teach you what your energy can really do."
I spent the next six hours performing every single attack I had in my repertoire. After each one she'd click her fucking tongue and comment on how I didn't know what I was doing. I wanted to prove to her I was harnessing my energy with efficient skill, if I couldn't even do that then what the hell was the nine years of torture I went through even worth? Sweat coated my body to the point that I couldn't tell where my clothes ended and my skin began. Never had I worked this hard for someone's approval yet every time I looked she shook her head.
I crumbled to the dirt, my body finally succumbing to exhaustion. The energy I had in my hand fizzled out, I didn't even have enough to sustain my most basic attack.
"Get up girl." The bitch lorded over me. Her foot prodding at my side.
"I can't." I refused to stand. She could belittle me all she wanted, but I would not budge. White hot pain erupted on my side and I heard my rib crack from the force.
"What in the Fuck is wrong with you!?" I roared, pushing myself to stand so I could get in her face.
"You're what's wrong with me! I've never seen someone so pathetic. You have so much power but you're too much of a pussy to use it!"
"It's not my fault! I'm trying you old bitch!" She dodged the punch I aimed at her face.
"Oh boo hoo so you had a fucked up life, big whoop. You have a chance to take your life back but instead you wallow in self pity!"
"Shut up!"
"No wonder you got abducted, you're so weak you make an easy target." She spat.
"I said shut up! You don't even know me!" I faced her, tears threatening to spill down my face but I held them back.
"You don't even know yourself. The only one who knows you is the demon that took you. So why don't you go crawling back to him." It wasn't a question but a suggestion.
"No!" I refused.
"Then fight dammit!"
"I am fighting you stupid old hag!" I wailed. The dam broke and tears poured down my cheeks. Pulling on whatever reserves I had left I harshly forced my remaining energy into my hands. The violet coils pulsed from my emotional turmoil. Their vivid hue gaining color with each beat. They looped up my arms connecting at my shoulder blades. I lashed out at Genkai, the coils sprung out like a whip before snapping back into position. My emotions ran rampant causing my energy to swell to a height I had never felt before. I continued my pursuit with Genkai dodging my whip like arms. The day evolved into night before I finally fell. I hit the dirt with a hard smack. Not once did my tears cease. I cried for everything I had been put through, I cried for the life that was stolen from me, for the family I would never meet again, and for the uncertainty of the trials I still had to face. I felt a small hand land on my shoulder and looked up at Genkai.
"You did it. Your energy is fueled by your emotions, don't deny yourself the right to grieve." She patted my shoulder and turned to walk away only to pause mid-step. "I believe, we both deserve a break."