Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Kawaridane ❯ Losing Your Cool ( Chapter 18 )

AN: Here we go chapter 18. I do not own. WARNING: chapter contains violence and dark themes.

 

“GET UP YOU LAZY ASSES!”

Genkai's shout was loud enough to raise the dead; or the dead to the world. Either way it worked in that it made everyone that was contemplating rolling over and going back to sleep, leap from their bedrolls and start packing furiously.

Ayako got up so fast she got major head rush and fell unceremoniously on her butt.

While everyone chuckled and Ayako rubbed her, now sore, behind, Yusuke was already up and talking to Genkai about strategy.

“I heard the innkeeper mention a certain higher up may be in that camp today.” Yusuke said quietly.

Genkai nodded.

“Is it the higher up that we especially don't want Ayako to encounter?” Genkai remained silent. “Come on old hag, you have to tell us. If we… if she isn't prepared who knows what will happen?”

Genkai looked up at her apprentice and sighed. “Yes. It is probably that higher up. And I was going to tell them I just didn't know how quite yet.”

“Hn”

Genkai whirled around to see Hiei staring… or was he glaring. Ah you can never tell.

“Stop looking at me like that small-fry. I'll tell her.” Genkai grumbled and wandered off to inform Ayako that her favourite demon may be in the next encampment.

“So, Hiei.”

“Hn”

“What do you think we should do? I mean I know you guys aren't mated so she could be manipulated again.”

“Hn”

Yusuke sighed. “You can't tell me you aren't concerned.”

“She can handle herself.”

“I know that, but if she goes all “Hai, Kurushimi-sama” on us again it would be nice to have a plan.”

Hiei growled.

“Gah! You are impossible. Fine I'll think of my own contingency plan.”

“Don't bother Spirit Detective. I can handle it.”

Yusuke felt like tearing his hair out. It was impossible to speak with the crabby, spiky haired shrimp. He didn't know how Ayako handled it.

“Alright, I'll leave it to you. Don't let her get hurt.” Yusuke wandered off leaving Hiei to his own thoughts about the upcoming battle.

Hiei watched Ayako take the news from Genkai. She paled slightly and looked over at him. `Not good. She has to be confident not scared.'

Hiei walked over to her, grabbed her arm, and pulled her away from the rest gently.

“Are you ok?” He asked quietly.

She nodded. He wasn't convinced.

“Ayako, you can't go into this scared. You once told me to believe in you. I do. You can handle yourself; you've proven that to me numerous times.” Hiei gripped her chin and made her look him in the eyes.

“None of that matters if you don't believe it yourself.” He finished quietly.

Ayako smiled slightly and shook her head. “Yeah. I'll be fine.”

Hiei smirked. “Besides, if anything happens,” he pointed to the mark visible on the side of her neck, “I'll know.”

She smiled.

“Enough of this. Let's go kick some ass.” She said quietly.

Hiei smirked and pulled her into his embrace. She sighed against him and he kissed the top of her head.

“Gladly.”

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They were once again silently gathered in a particularly large tree at the edge of the Southern Outpost. They had decided earlier on that the silent approach would be better for this place. An all out assault would be too dangerous as there were at least 200 opponents. It was just past dusk and the sky was darkening rapidly.

The team was dressed all in black with black paint smudged on their faces and hands. Ayako had her katana strapped to her back and two small daggers in sheathes strapped to her sides. Tonight was about stealth. Kill silently, and move on.

Kagome didn't have much expertise with silent assassination so she was going to stay in the trees in case things got out of hand, wherein she would leap onto the rooftops and give cover fire. Everyone else, even Yukina, was prepared and they silently hopped to the ground and spread out around the walls of the compound. They were going to surround the camp and make their way to the center. They were going in pairs as there were four known entrances. Ayako was paired with Inuyasha; Hiei with Kuwabara, Kurama with Yukina, and Genkai with Yusuke.

Hiei sent Ayako a look before turning away. She felt his confidence in her flow through their connection. His confidence boosted her own and the excitement began to grow within her. Silent was her favourite way to go.

Both Inuyasha and Ayako were wearing black hoods to cover up the brilliant silver in their hair. Ayako gave her hanyou brother a grin which he returned. Silence didn't used to be Inuyasha's strong point, but since they'd joined forces last December his patience and skill had improved immensely. They silently flitted in between the trees until their assigned entrance was in sight. The glare of the torchlight at this small side door was incredibly bright to their eyes, which had just adjusted to the near blackness of the forest.

Ayako watched the two guards intently; they seemed to be deep in conversation about god knows what. Ayako signed to Inuyasha the plan. Inuyasha nodded his understanding and vanished into the darkness towards the far side of the gate.

Ayako carefully crept towards the outer wall of the outpost, consciously staying in the shadows where she knew the two guards in the light would be unable to see her until it was too late. She heard an owl hoot in the distance and grinned to herself. She replied with a hoot of her own, and silent as death lunged on her opponent as she saw Inuyasha take the other one from behind as well. A quick flick of her dagger across the lowly demons throat cut off any cries of warning and the guards slumped to the ground. Ayako and Inuyasha quickly hid the bodies in the shadows and crept inside the gate, the shadows engulfing them once more.

The adrenaline was pounding in Ayako's ears. She hated to admit she liked killing. She was a miko, her place in life was to heal, and help others. However she was now also half demon. Her blood lust came from her mother's side, and she liked it. She felt exhilarated. She looked over at Inuyasha and he had the same gleam in his eyes. Yeah this was fun.

She silently crept along the side of the building ad peered around the corner. What she saw surprised her.

There was no one in sight. There were supposed to be sentries posted throughout the camp. She frowned and signed to Inuyasha what the trouble was.

He frowned and signed back.

I don't like it. Something's wrong.

Ayako nodded her agreement. She looked around quickly then signed to Inuyasha.

I'm going up to take a look.

He nodded and she leapt on top of the building they were crouched against. She quietly made her way to the peak and peered over the other side into the center of the outpost. What she saw made her eyes widen in fear.

She scrambled back down the roof and landed on the ground next to Inuyasha. He immediately sensed the apprehension in Ayako and looked at her fiercely.

They have Kagome.

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Hiei and Kuwabara had just finished their guards when Hiei felt Ayako's fear come through the mark. He stuck his arm out to stop Kuwabara from carrying on and signed quickly that something was wrong.

Kuwabara nodded silently and watched as Hiei leapt away to a nearby rooftop. Hiei saw what was clearly a trap. `Dammit!' he cursed to himself, `there must have been a spy in that last village…we were too careless!'

Hiei peered down at the person that appeared to be the other miko, Kagome. She was dressed in the same black outfit as the rest of them, but Hiei wasn't completely convinced. However, if a Kagome was there in the center court for all to see then the Kagome that was with them was either incapacitated or had been captured before the mission began. Either way it seemed the enemy did have Ayako's sister in their possession.

With a silent curse Hiei quickly made his way back to Kuwabara. He could use the headsets but was fairly certain everyone else already knew of there trouble and were trying to find a way to get out of this. Unfortunately, the choice was taken away from them.

“Hello to my special guests!” A loud and familiar voice shouted from somewhere within the outpost. “I am hurt you decided to invite yourselves in! I thought you had better manners than that… Genkai.”

Hiei signalled for Kuwabara to follow and quickly leapt back to his prior observation point. The two watched in silent anger as Genkai strolled casually into the open to confront the voice. At her appearance Kurushimi waltzed out from the shadows at the opposite end.

“Kurushimi, where is Kagome. I know this doll here is not her.” Genkai said coldly.

Kurushimi chuckled darkly. “Ah, I knew you'd never fall for it but the local boss here insisted, and it's my job to please.”

Hiei felt his blood begin to boil. He glanced down at the demon's right arm. He remembered the satisfaction of severing his arm from his body just below the elbow.

“You didn't answer my question.” Genkai said slowly, allowing her spirit power to gather around her small body.

“Whoa, whoa! Getting a little ahead of ourselves aren't we? I have a prisoner, this is a negotiation.” Kurushimi said icily.

“I don't negotiate. It would be just as easy for me to kill you and find her myself.” Genkai shot back.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you.” Kurushimi turned and snapped his fingers. The air where the fake Kagome was shimmered and bent until an image of another place could be seen. In the air the real Kagome was being held down by four demons and one of them had a katana at her exposed throat. Genkai could see the anger in the girl's eyes. That was the real Kagome. “If I give the word they will sever her pretty little head from the rest of her body. That would be a real shame.” He sneered.

“What do you want?” Genkai said softly.

“Oh a few things. Like my precious little Kawaridane. I've missed her and I can guarantee she's missed me.” He smirked.

Kuwabara put a hand on Hiei's shoulder when he sensed the fire demon was about to leap down there and tear the demon limb from limb. Hiei scowled but sat back to wait. He'd get his chance to tear him apart.

“I'm afraid I can't give her to you.” Genkai said softly.

Then Hiei heard the last thing in the world that he wanted to hear.

“I'm over here Kurushimi. Come get me.” Ayako stood atop a building across the clearing from Hiei.

“Ayako don't!” Yusuke shouted from the darkness.

Kurushimi wasted no time. He signalled quickly to the shadows and the men at arms commenced their attack on the companions. He leapt onto the rooftop Ayako was standing on and Hiei could no longer watch. There were demons swarming out of every building and attacking full force. There weren't many powerful ones but there were a great number of them; at least double what they had predicted.

Hiei put his hand to his neck and turned to face the onslaught.

She'd be fine.

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“I'm over here Kurushimi. Come get me.” Ayako could hear Inuyasha behind her desperate to stop her. She turned to him and smiled sadly. “I'll be fine, I can handle this bastard.”

She heard Yusuke yell from somewhere in the compound, but there was no turning back. If she could kill this demon they could save her sister. She knew he would want her.

She wasn't stupid. She wasn't being self-sacrificing. She fully intended to break every bone in his body. Slowly.

He leapt up to the rooftop she was standing on. He grinned.

“Long time no see little Kawaridane. Why don't we relocate this confrontation? Things are going to get quite crowded here in a second.” He smirked and she looked down at the courtyard to see it swarmed with lower class demons. There were so many!

“Hmm… I don't think so. This rooftop will do just fine for what I plan to do to you.” Ayako spat.

Kurushimi raised his hand and Ayako felt her world start to cave in at the edges.

“Don't forget about that special connection we have babe. I can make you do anything I want.” Kurushimi threatened.

Ayako growled and bit down hard on her arm. The pain and the constant flood of emotion coming through her mark clearing her head.

She smirked. “I don't think so.”

Kurushimi smiled sweetly. “I see you have a courting mark there. That's not strong enough to do much darling. Especially if it is wiped away by another.”

Ayako drew her katana. “Try it.”

Kurushimi drew his own katana and smirked.

Fast as lightening they clashed together and broke apart. Ayako using her shunpo to try and break his defences. He countered her every time. The battle roared on in the background and the two continued to circle on another. Ayako had a few small cuts up her arms and across one cheek but the most trouble came from a graze to her stomach that was seeping slowly and painfully.

Kurushimi was no better off. Ayako had managed a deep cut along the outside of his right thigh that was bleeding slowly but steadily.

“I'm afraid that you have the wrong idea about me Ayako. I don't play nice.” Kurushimi raised his sword arm and six other demons leapt to the rooftop to surround her.

“Keh, you think these puny demons are going to stop me?” Ayako smirked and flexed her spirit power. “Alright bring it on.”

The bodies began piling up. Ayako was panting from exertion but the fire never once left her eyes.

“Oh you are troublesome. Fine. It seems I may have to bring in an old friend that is dying to meet you.”

Ayako's eye's narrowed. She felt a vaguely familiar spirit force enter her awareness. It was not a small fry like these others had been.

A new demon could be seen leaping across rooftops and through battles, coming towards them. He landed next to Kurushimi and Ayako felt a twinge of fear grip her.

She knew this demon. Dokuro. On the very first mission they went on with Kagome and Inuyasha they were ambushed and Ayako nearly died. Well she did die, but anyway…

“I assume you are more enlightened to your past Ayako. And you possess your demon side now I see. What do your new senses tell you about me girl?” He smiled.

She spat blood on the ground.

“Another demon that needs to be thrown out with the trash.” She smiled sweetly but it didn't reach her eyes.

“Oh now now. Don't be so hasty.”

Ayako felt a short prick and reached her hand up to her neck. A dart. Poison?

Ayako turned quickly towards the source and saw a demon in the distance with a dart gun. Pointless now.

“Do you remember the last time we met Ayako?” Dokuro said sweetly.

Ayako's vision began to swim. This couldn't be happening.

“Do you remember the drug we gave you to seal your holy powers? This is similar, except now it seals all your powers temporarily. The pain you are experiencing is caused by the loss of your demon and holy energy. You will be like any normal human, bleeding profusely I may add.” Dokuro chuckled.

Ayako sank to one knee.

“Did you forget so quickly how weak normal humans are?” Kurushimi scolded her.

The two demons began to walk towards her. Kurushimi attempted once more to take over her mind.

She screamed in frustration as her body fell under his control. Dokuro stood in front of her and Kurushimi walked behind her putting his arm around her waist from behind.

Her mind screamed her frustration and she felt her right arm twitch. She'd take at least one of these bastards down before she lost consciousness.

Closer, closer… that's it.

The one named Dokuro was speaking. She couldn't hear. It didn't matter. Her fingers reached for the spring loaded blade attached to her wrist.

Closer… just one more step.

The demon leaned in, presumably to whisper something intimately in her ear. It didn't matter.

Ayako sprung the catch on the blade and swung up full force driving the blade straight through the center of the demons neck. The look on his face was priceless. He slid off her blade, drowning in his own blood and fell to the rooftop with a sick thud.

Kurushimi's arm crushed a rib as he squeezed her hard from behind and bit down hard on her neck where her courting mark was.

Ayako slumped backwards falling fully under the demon's hold.

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Hiei felt his connection with Ayako break and his heart sunk. He felt the dragon on his arm surge; it was begging its master to let him out.

Hiei grit his teeth and quickly shouted over the head sets, “Everyone get out, the dragon is going to get loose.”

Hiei hoped they could get clear in time. His rage at his intended's disappearance was driving him over the edge. He couldn't and didn't want to hold back any longer. The dragon of the darkness flame leapt off his arm and hovered in the air above the camp. It could smell blood and it was hungry.