Crossover Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ A Kitsune's Tail ❯ Mirrors ( Chapter 6 )

A Kitsune's Tail

Chapter 6

Mirrors

By Firedemon86

 

 

“Yukina don't touch him!” Genkai had come running when she felt the rise in energy and now stood at the end of the hallway. Yukina jumped back at Genkai's words, and looked at the old woman with wide eyes.

 

“Genkai what happened? He was trying to enter her mind to find out her origin and then this happened.” Yukina hurried voice and raise tone was further proof of her panic and worry over Hiei's well being.

 

Genkai stepped closer and reached out a hand towards Hiei as she watched the left over pink energy. Invisible to those without training, it angrily sizzled around Hiei's Jagan like bacon cooked too long and turned black. Genkai eyes widened for a moment. There was not mistaking this energy; it was Holy energy much like Sensui's energy. Only this was not born of training…this was born of blood line.

 

Jerking her head around, her ancient eyes took in the girl who seemed to be sleeping as if noting in the world was wrong. Her trained, battle hardened pupils shifted to take in the ripped and removed bandages showing her the same thing Hiei had seen; an almost healed body. Even for one with Holy energy that should not be possible.

 

Moving her head back to look again at Hiei, she raised a hand and summoned some of her own energy to draw away the excess energy surrounding him. The Jagan remanded closed, its edges remaining blackened and Hiei didn't stir.

 

Nodding, Genkai turned to face Yukina, “Alright Yukina you can touch him now, let's move him to a room and then fetch a bowl of water and a cold compress. There isn't much we can do but try and cool the burn. Otherwise, Hiei will have to heal from this on his own.”

 

The two of them worked quickly to move Hiei to a room, and once he was set in bed with a cold rag draped over his third eye, Genkai exited the room her thoughts moving in a million different directions. But, one thought was at the front of her mind; the fox was dead when she got her hands on him.

 

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Koenma was not having a good day. Not only had they been trying to track a few rogue demons--without much luck--who had somehow made it through the barrier, but now one of his ogres had just come bursting into his office scattering his paper work.

 

“What are you doing, you buffoon, you've ruined all my work! Now go get some help and get these papers cleaned up and reorganized!”

 

“But sir it's very important, there's very urgent news and someone here to see you.”

 

“What could be more important then my paper work!!”

 

Koenma yelled while jumping onto his desk. He glared down at the unlucky ogre, and raised his stamp to brand his forehead when the ogre ducked and shouted one of the only phrases in the world or spirit world that would give Koenma pause.

 

“Say that again ogre…. I must have heard you wrong.” Koenma's voice went quiet as he tried to decide whether or not what the ogre had said was true.

 

“I'm sorry to have to say Lord Koenma…” Swallowing loudly, the ogre took a nervous step back, “The Shikon no Miko has gone missing.”

 

Koenma's eyes wide dropped down and he sat on the desk, his pacifier half hanging out of his mouth and his mind spinning. Now it was his turn to swallow loudly.

 

“And let me just guess who is here.”

 

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Kurama was trying to hurry, after leaving his parents - and promising his mother he'd bring this girl around soon - Youko was almost jumping to get back. So Kurama noticed when Youko suddenly calmed, and then the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Something was wrong, and the closer they got to the temple the more the feeling intensified.

 

`Shuichi hurry… something is very wrong.'

 

Kurama didn't need to hear the spirit fox's words; he was already pushing his legs faster with his instincts screaming at him. Just when he thought he could push himself no faster, a new thought raced through his mind, `I can't let her down again,'

 

He didn't know where the thought came from; whether from him, Youko, or somewhere in between, that was all the incentive Youko needed. He pushed at Shuichi's soul and began taking over their body; the hair turned white, eyes shifted to gold, and fox ears uncurled. With his tail waving behind him all in the space of a heart beat, it had to have been the fastest he'd ever changed. Youko's demon speed kicked in and they became a white blur.

 

Breaking through the trees, Youko skidded to a halt at seeing Yusuke, Keiko and Kuwabara at the base of the steps, running toward the temple. Running up beside them, Youko spoke, “What are you three doing here?”

 

Kuwabara and Yusuke about jumped a foot in the air.

 

“Youko! What the Hell are you doing in control?”

 

“Not now Detective, there is something very wrong at the temple. Don't you feel it?”

 

“Yeah, we felt it at the bus stop and were on our way to find out wh…”

 

Yusuke stopped mid sentence as Youko turned and continued up the steps. He had no time to talk; he had to find the problem and he had to protect her. Just then, Youko's eyes caught sight of something. A very large bird was in the sky, but it had demon energy.

 

Youko's eyes widened and he spoke out loud before he could stop himself, “A Carrion Crow Demon!”

 

Behind him he heard Yusuke who was the closest, “A what?!”

 

Youko extended his senses and pushed himself faster, there were two crow demons, one in the sky and one closer to the temple. Where was Hiei to take care of these pests? He'd never allowed demons this close. Youko didn't have any chance to think about Hiei's slacking as the still of the evening was destroyed.

 

Yukina's scream pieced the air and made Youko's blood run cold; the crow was inside the temple. Behind him he heard many things almost said all at once. Kuwabara yelling Yukina's name and Yusuke cursing enough to put a sailor to shame.

 

Clearing the steps, Youko saw the worst thing he could imagine. The crow had the sleeping girl in its claws, and Yukina had a hold of her legs trying to pull her away from the crow. Genkai stood ready to attack but was unable to get a clear shot. The bird cawed and hissed and shrieked at the two, not seeming to notice him. Then the bird's angry red eyes took on an evil glow and its razor sharp beak raised up and began to descend. It was going to pierce Kagome's throat. Youko was moving before he could think, and the words left his mouth before he could understand them.

 

“Kagome!”

 

His call got the bird's attention, its beak stopping inches from her throat. The disgusting hellish bird had just enough time to turn its head and see death coming. As the rose whip made contact with the horrible creature's head only a half shriek made it out of its foul, rotten mouth before it was silenced forever. Pieces of the stinking, putrid carcass fell to the ground with a dull thud and a bit of a bounce before setting. Yukina and Kagome started to fall, but didn't make it to the ground. Youko held his prize tight to his chest, and Yusuke caught Yukina mid fall.

 

Still with his treasure in his arms pushed closely to his chest, he jerked his body around and his head up, searching the skies for the second bird. The skies were empty. The second crow was no where in sight…gone. But crows were not known to give up; it would be back. Narrowing his eyes into a battle worthy glare that could have sent the Toguro brothers running, Youko promised himself the bird would never touch what was his, and when that bird returned it was dead. Growling, Youko turned to see everyone watching him, his arms subconsciously tightened on the girl. Gauging everyone's reactions was easy; Genkai was not happy, Yukina was shocked, Yusuke confused, Kuwabara was happy and worried, and Keiko was dazed.

 

Youko sighed and started towards the temple to place the girl back in her bed, but Yusuke was the first to speak as usual, “Youko what the hell is going on? What were those things and who is that?” Yusuke's voice sounded angry but that was normal. Youko shifted his eyes as he walked past Yusuke, he saw many more confused questions circling in his brown eyes.

 

Looking back ahead, he saw Genkai wanted to talk. Something had obviously set the old psychic off, but a demon attack for someone like her shouldn't do that. There had to be something else.

 

Shifting his eyes again towards Yukina without moving his head, Youko spoke to her as he continued walking, “Where is Hiei? He usually never lets anything near the temple.”

 

Genkai answered first, her voice quick and sharp; a tone she usually revered for training with Yusuke, “The girl attacked him. He's still asleep.”

 

Youko froze and so did everyone else. One could have tasted the still tension in the air. The spirit Fox's eyes snapped to Genkai, his golden honey eyes freezing over as he tried to find a lie on her face. He searched every inch of her face in a matter of seconds, as if a lie should be as plain as a bit of food left after a meal. The Fox moved his ears like radar to gauge the other's reactions. If anyone made a move toward him or the girl, he mentally growled, he'd protect her.

 

The issue raised memories in his mind, and for a moment he felt a rush of d*j* vu flash from his old life; a feeling he thought he'd never live again, the fight or flight impulse. Fight for his new treasure or flee with it. But was that really necessary? Surely these people knew him and surely they would trust him. Though a few lifetimes of old experiences that told him different; they told him trust no one and the thought rushed his mind.

 

Fortunately, it seems faith was on his side. Just as he was about to take an instinctual step back away from his friends, Keiko became the voice of reason. Her voice now that she had caught her breath was as calm and relaxed as ever, “Genkai how could that girl have hurt Hiei, she look unconscious.”

 

Breathing a silent sigh of relief, Youko decided that outside of maybe Yukina, Keiko would be the first of his friends this girl would meet when she awoke. All eyes turned away from him and towards Genkai. She quietly turned and walked into her home. The others followed and so did he, opting to keep the girl in his arms for now. One thing his old life has taught him to be better safe then sorry.

 

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In Makai a dark and turbulent sky is a welcome thing for the carrion crow as it flies home to a dark castle; so dark it appears to be black stone. But as the bird flies closer he reflects like a mirror; the whole castle is made of black mirrors.

 

The castle was tall, standing on a cliff with no apparent way in, except for one window. The black mirror glass exterior curved and spiraled up higher and higher in what should be an impossible thing. At least 20 spirals of black mirrors spiked and pointed into the sky, the sides are straight. Not a crack or crevice could be found in the flat walls. But, even though the castle is nothing but mirrors, only the bird gets reflected. None of the landscape or the weather around it is seen in the towering structure's walls.

 

The bird flew in the window and continued flying down a long black tunnel. It opens into a huge hexagonal hall, and just as all that can be seen is mirrors outside, the shape of the room makes it impossible to tell where an entrance is. The bird however seemed to know where it was going; heading straight for an entrance in this hall where a demon stood. As twisted-looking as the outside of the castle with scars transverse over exposed part of his body, it bears a striking resembles to Igor from the Frankenstein movies. The bird - while not landing on him - stops and caws a few times before continuing on, and the creature then lumbers after it into a dark chamber when a slit of light enters from above in the center of the room. Where the light comes from is unknown, as there is no window and the sky outside is cloudy and dark. Despite the light, the room is almost black with its shape octagonal. Floor to ceiling mirrors were everywhere, making the room feel like a maze in a carnival funhouse. The disfigured creature hobbles into the room, and bows toward the other side. His voice is as gnarled and deformed as he looks, switching tone and volume almost every second.

 

“Sorry master, it seems the demon we sent failed, and one of your crows didn't even return.”

 

“This I see Junko, my favorite crow has not returned. But my Hoshiko did not die worthlessly, she has told me much. Now Junko, we know she is protected … again.”

 

The faceless master whose voice echoes in from the darkest shadows at the other side of the room, he sounds bored but still dangerous. Crows caw around where his voice comes from, and a few flap and humble into the shaft of light. It proves to be more carrion crows, and they have their eyes on Junko. Junko takes a step back, but pauses at hearing his master sigh.

 

“No we aren't going to kill Junko, but if he fails again that might change. Junko why does fate hate me? I've waited for this chance to get her and the jewel and now when her protectors are gone and she should be free for the picking, this DAMN FOX gets in the way.” His voice is normal and bored until he gets around to mentioning the `damn fox'. Junko jumps back as his master slams his fist and the mirrors in the room reflect and image of Youko. Junko hisses at the image, before beseeching his master again.

 

“He's too perfect master, please take him away.” The image waves and fades from sight in the mirrors, before the master speaks again, his voice calm, detached, and bored.

 

“Junko, I want that girl…. I want the jewel … it should be mine. Junko, make sure I get it … or… you know what will happen.”

 

Junko swallows loudly and nods.

 

“I'll find a way master… I promise I will not fail… again.” Backing out of the room head lowered Junko vanishes into the darkness, and the crows begin to shriek louder, their calls filling the castle of black mirrors.