Chapter 16 Serioso (Or, Seriously)
Asuka went to see Koenma after everyone had gone to bed. She didn't want to be in the Raekai when she could be helping with chores or with the baby.
Asuka's heart started pounding the moment she sat cross-legged on the tatami mat. Trauma responses were predictable—and annoying. Frustrated, she rubbed her temples and adjusted her hair with trembling fingers. You can do this. You've done it before. Just breathe in and out…in…and out…inhale for three seconds, exhale for three seconds. She stilled her mind and calmed the tremors in her body.
After a few hours, Asuka was able to push her soul out and travel up to the Raekai.
The same unchanging site that she'd lived in for millennia greeted her—a purple sky with wisps of white clouds, a long gray road, and overbearing buildings.
I still hate this place.
Asuka squared her shoulders, put on a brave face, and entered Koenma's sanctity. There were ogres bustling about with stacks of papers. They spoke in hushed, worried tones as they moved in and out of Koenma's office. Asuka furrowed her eyebrows, confused, as she watched the commotion. Then she went in.
The mint tiles gleamed behind Koenma as he diligently read through a stack of papers. He was in his adult form—which he had almost exclusively used since taking over the Raekai's affairs. He looked serious and burdened.
"Hello, Koenma," Asuka said as she approached his desk.
Koenma was so startled that he knocked a stack of papers. They flew up into the air in every direction and fluttered around Koenma.
Asuka grimaced. "Sorry."
"Maeko! I mean—Asuka. I didn't expect you to be here. Ever."
"Believe me, I didn't expect to be back here. But there's something I'd like to talk to you about."
"Have you been getting Foresight visions again?" he asked hopefully.
"I…no. I haven't. Why? Is something wrong?"
Koenma sighed. "Yes, but we're not sure what. There are strange time distortions happening in the Makai. At first, it was a few random phenomena, but they have been happening more frequently. It's enough to be concerned."
"Hiei was saying something about that yesterday," Asuka said. "But he said Mukuro's investigations haven't yielded much information."
Koenma nodded. "I'm not surprised. The distortions would be difficult to get to."
"But you know more about it?"
"A little. At first, it was little things, such as an old tree becoming a seedling. Or a mountain that had been leveled by a fight appearing again. The distortions would correct themselves, but lately, they don't seem to be. I don't know why it's happening, and none of our other seers can pinpoint the problem. That's why I was hoping you had seen something."
"Well, my foresight isn't back, but…I am having strange visions."
Koenma stopped picking up the papers that he was collecting and sat straight. "About what?"
Asuka hesitated. "What do you know about dragons?"
"Dragons?" Koenma repeated. "Western or Eastern?"
"Eastern," Asuka said. "I keep seeing a starlit lake in my dreams. But the stars aren't stars. They're…I don't know. And I've seen one dragon come up out of the lake, but I think I've seen two others. And they keep asking me to 'come back'. But I'm not sure where they're asking me to go."
Koenma stared at Asuka blankly for a few seconds before he said, "I have not heard of dragons inhabiting any existence plane. But…if we want to know something like that, then we'd have to ask…"
"Enma." Asuka shuddered before her shoulders slumped. "Will you come with me? I don't think I can face him alone."
"Are you sure you want to go at all?" Koenma asked.
"I'll go."
"Are you really sure?" Koenma asked, worried.
He had good reason to be worried, Asuka knew. Facing Enma wasn't something she wanted to do. This would be the first time she'd seen him since Kurama rescued her.
Asuka breathed in. "This is important. I've been having this feeling that something is wrong, and I think it's because I've been sensing the time distortions. We need to learn why."
Koenma nodded. "Follow me." He stood and turned to Jorge, who just entered the office. "I am leaving to see my father. If I'm not back within the hour, assume something has gone wrong."
"Yes sir."
"I always tell him when I have to meet with Enma," Koenma explained to Asuka. "In case something happens to me."
"I'm glad you take it seriously."
"Very seriously," Koenma said.
They walked down a narrow corridor to a room at the end. Koenma unlocked the door. Inside, the room was empty save for a stairwell that spiraled downward. With a shiver, Asuka followed Koenma down the steps. It wasn't dark like a dungeon, but nonetheless, a foreboding feeling overcome her the closer she got to the bottom of the stairs. Her stomach tightened into a knot. I wish Kurama was here. She grimaced. Her husband could never see Enma.
Koenma led her through several jail cell doors, each with its own lock and security personnel. Then, they went down to another level. Koenma produced a special glowing key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock. The lock glowed bright green, then unlatched. Koenma pushed the door open. "Stay close to me," he murmured.
Asuka inched closer to Koenma.
The jail cell was large, with a bed, desk, small library, and other accommodations. But what shocked Asuka the most was Enma's size. He was only a few feet larger than Koenma. His back was to them and was hunched over the desk, writing something.
"Well, this is most unexpected," Enma said, keeping his back to Asuka and Koenma. His voice was just as deep as Asuka remembered, and a shiver went up her spine. He was physically smaller, but his presence dominated the room and intimidated her. "The last person I'd ever expect to visit me is Maeko."
Asuka kept silent.
"We have questions, Enma," Koenma said. His voice was steady, but the fear was clear.
Enma laughed and turned around. His black eyes settled on Asuka, who now stood next to Koenma. She kept her face neutral.
"And what questions could you possibly have for me, Seer?"
Asuka opened her mouth to reply, but Koenma put his arm out in front of her. "She doesn't have Foresight anymore, and that's thanks to your meddling."
Enma tugged his beard thoughtfully. "Really? I wonder why."
"Your actions still have consequences," Koenma said. His voice was laced with mourning and anger.
It pained Asuka because she knew how hard this was for Koenma.
"State your questions," Enma said.
"What do you know of dragons that live in a lake?" Koenma asked.
Enma's eyes widened.
He knows something.
"So, you know about them. What are they?" Koenma asked.
Enma tugged his beard. "Why do you want to know about them?"
Asuka looked at Koenma before she said, "Because they are calling me to return to them. But I don't know where they are, and I don't know why they're calling."
When Enma didn't answer, Koenma added, "There are time distortions happening in the Makai, and they're getting stronger. Are those related to the dragons that Asuka keeps seeing?"
Enma's eyes flashed a dangerous yellow color before he produced a laugh deep from his belly. The maliciousness of it bounced from wall to ceiling and back again.
"Why are you laughing?" Koenma asked.
"I will not tell you anything."
"Why not?" Koenma demanded.
"Because it's better for me if you don't stop whatever is about to happen. If I tell you anything, you'll figure it out."
Koenma's face twisted in anger.
"Because the time distortions will destroy the Makai?" Asuka asked. "Is that why you don't care? You'll get your full revenge?"
"That's a bonus. If things decay like I suspect they will, there's a chance I'll be freed." Enma smiled.
Asuka backed up, now terrified because Enma had used the word "decay."
"You will serve your sentence, Enma," Koenma said. "Nothing will change that."
Enma turned his back and began writing again at his desk.
Asuka and Koenma looked at each other, both debating if they should continue questioning Enma. Asuka had questions about the device he had used on her, but was afraid to ask. Koenma must've decided staying longer was fruitless because he gestured to the cell door. Once they were through, Koenma engaged the lock.
"I should have known he wouldn't say anything. I'm sorry you had to see him, Asuka."
"We had to go," Asuka said. "And we learned some things."
"Like what?" Koenma asked.
"Well, whatever is happening in the Makai will benefit Enma. Or, he thinks it will, at least. He thinks he'll get out of his cell. Why would decay cause his freedom? "
Koenma nodded, his face grave.
"We also know that the dragons are older than you, but not so old that Enma doesn't know about them."
Koenma shook his head. "Enma knows many forgotten things. The dragons could be as old as creation itself, and he would know about them."
"Hmm…" Asuka said as she and Koenma entered his office. "Do you think there's a description of them in Enma's library?"
"Oh!" Koenma clapped his hands together in a toddler-like way. "That's an excellent idea! Enma's library is five times the size of mine, but I will have some of the ogres begin looking. We will also cross reference anything to do with time."
"Can…" Asuka bit her lip. "Can you…also look into the device I was strapped to? Before now, it didn't matter."
"I will see what I can find," Koenma said gently.
"In the meantime…" Asuka hesitated. "I will begin training again."
Koenma lifted an eyebrow.
"I don't want my Foresight back, but if we're going to stop whatever's happening, I think I need it."
Koenma didn't say anything, but he understood. Instead, he regarded Asuka for a moment before he said, "I'll contact you and Kurama if we find something."
"Well, can we keep it between us for now? I would appreciate it."
Koenma cocked his head to the side. "Really? Is everything alright?"
"Yes, but…" Asuka tried to think of how to explain. "Kurama is afraid of my dreams and would prefer I ignore them altogether. He loves me so much...it still astonishes me. But he isn't rational when it comes to my well-being. What we uncover could be…difficult for him."
"Mmmm…mmm…I see," Koenma nodded in understanding. "If we find something, what will you tell him?"
"We'll tell him the truth," Asuka said, "But only when we have something concrete and certain. If…if there are hard choices to be made, we'll need to come up with a plan concerning Kurama."
"Hard choices?"
"I'm connected to all of this. I don't understand how, but I know I am. I wasn't supposed to live when I destroyed Enma's weapon. I was supposed to die, but something happened. The dragons know me by name. I think…they saved me…somehow…but I don't know. Maybe it didn't go as planned."
"We'll figure it out," Koenma said. "I'll keep in touch. If you figure anything else out or have more dreams, let me know."
"Sounds good. Thank you, Koenma. I should get going now."
"Tell Yukina and Kuwabara I said congratulations."
"I will."
Asuka left Koenma and walked out of the palace. Everything that had happened deeply troubled her. Why did Enma think he'd be freed?
It's time to get my powers back.
-* ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ *-
A powerful wave of nostalgia settled over Asuka as she gazed out from the mountain's peak. Here is where she'd trained with Genkai over a decade ago. Back then, Genkai had given her helpful advice on expanding her power. Asuka was going to try the same technique.
Her breath fogged out in the early morning air, and her skin prickled underneath her thick jacket. It was cold. The ground was cold, too.
Asuka sat cross-legged and concentrated on the yoski within her body. The ki warmed her. Ever since she had lost her powers, there were no doors in her mind. Sometimes Insight was clear, but it mostly presented like a fog. It was the last ember of a raging fire. She breathed on that fire and tried to focus on the foreboding feeling she had about the dragons.
Nothing. Her Foresight was nowhere to be found.
Asuka tried again. And again.
And again.
Damn it! This was frustrating. She wasn't even getting pain in her mind.
What's wrong? Foresight, I need you. This is really important.
After an hour with no success, Asuka gave up. If concentrating on Foresight wasn't working, she needed to try a different approach.
Perhaps I don't need Foresight to see what's going to happen. I can use Insight to figure out where the dragons are. Insight, where are you? Where are the dragons?
The fog was less dense, and that made Asuka hopeful. Where are the dragons? Tell me Insight.
When nothing clearer emerged in her mind, Asuka focused on the visions she'd gotten. Insight, tell me more about this location. Asuka held the picture of the vision in her mind's eye and concentrated. She channeled her yoski to it and entered a full meditative state.
The fog lifted, and more details began to sharpen. Asuka saw the lake, which was so large it looked like an ocean. She looked up and saw the lights twinkling above her in red, green, and blue. She saw the plants that surrounded the lake. They didn't look like any plants that she'd seen before.
"Are you here?" she asked the lake.
There was no reply.
Asuka turned around and walked into a forest. The further she went, the less clear her vision was. Eventually, it was just gray fog. Asuka reached out and touched the fog with her fingers. It felt solid.
I guess this is the end of the vision.
Asuka turned around and went back to the lake, searching for clues along the path. She turned her head upward and looked at the sky.
No, not a sky. A ceiling! It's a cave!
But where? Certainly not the Ningenkai…right? She supposed it was possible, but judging from the flora around the lake, it seemed less likely. That just left the Makai and the Raekai.
It's got to be the Makai. That's where the time distortions are happening. I need to ask Hiei if knows about any underground lakes in the Makai. It's worth a try. Maybe Mukuro knows.
Reluctantly, Asuka let the vision go. When she returned to herself, the sun was much higher in the sky. Her fingers were numb from the cold and her legs were stiff. She groaned, stretched, and headed down the mountain.
Later that evening, Asuka asked Hiei (who still hadn't left, despite telling everyone multiple times he was going to) about a lake inside a cave, but Hiei just shrugged.
"The Makai is the largest existence plane," he said as he watched Yukina and Maeko. "It goes for longer than you could imagine. Nobody has seen all of it. Not even yokai who are tens of thousands of years old. But I will ask Mukuro."
"Thank you. I appreciate it. This is important."
Hiei simply nodded as his eyes continued to track Yukina and Maeko. That he took Asuka's request seriously was telling. We've got to figure this out. I've got a lot of work to do on myself.
Asuka had promised Yukina that she would be there for Maeko. She had to make good on that promise.
Author's Note:
Some more hints are given today! This fic is like a slow burn...but for information. Haha. I be like that. More distortions are happening in the Makai and Enma thinks whatever is happening will free him. Huh.
We're just chugging along here with this fic. Crazy that I've been posting for almost 4 months already. This upload schedule continues to be a good pace for me, but I may speed up in the next month or two. Usually, I end up getting antsy that I have an "open project" and have to blitz to finish it for my own peace of mind. Just a warning.
Anyway!
I'll see you all soon.
-Arielle
Ladyfox15: Ahhh thank you so much for the lovely compliments! I'm so glad you enjoy how I write Kurama and Asuka. I've lived with them for so long now. It's going to feel very weird when this fic is done. You and Asuka are both worried about how Kurama is going to react to all of this and...there's certainly cause for concern. He can't help but be protective of the people he loves. I like flipping the script with him. He's so logical, but at some point, logic breaks down when our emotions are heavily invested. Hiei is a tricky character to write so I'm glad you enjoyed Yukina confronting him! Again, thank you for the lovely review. It made my day! And thank you for the well wishes. Both me and my daughter and doing much better!