Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Rose that Binds ❯ Chapter 11 ( Chapter 11 )

You'll have to excuse me, but it's been kinda hectic. But hey, at least I'm updating. Anyway, it might be a little longer this time for the next update, since I MIGHT, keyword MIGHT not have a computer handy at that point in time. But I'll do my best. Okay, enough of my rambling. Read and enjoy people ^_^. Sorry if there are any mistakes, but I was unable to check for spelling. I posted this on my break at work and didn't have time to check. So, please forgive me.

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Chapter 11

They stood there, devastated. None knew what to do at that moment. None knew what had happened and all were frozen in shock, some more than others. Botan's pink orbs were shifting around the room quickly, looking for any sign of life.

A groan was heard and their heads shot to the right. They saw a blue hand reaching into the air. Running toward it, they found George lying on the ground, his stomach completely slashed open. How he was still alive was a miracle.

Kagome cradled his head in her lap and cooed to him soothingly.

Kurama put a hand on his bloody shoulder. "George, can you tell us what happened? Where's Lord Koenma?"

The dying ogre took a painful breath. "I . . . I'm not . . . sure. Botan had just . . . left to get you. . . A minute afterward the . . . building was cast . . . into darkness. . . .So much . . . screaming and blood. . . Lord Koenma . . . they. . . they took him . . . "

Kurama squeezed his arm. "Took him where? Can you tell me where, George?"

"Oh, George," Botan said, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I . . . don't know . . . Please find him . . . Lord Enma will be . . . furious . . . " With that, the poor ogre died. His eyes closed and his body went limp.

Botan broke down. "Oh, George!" She sat on her knees, sobbing. Keisu went to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders comfortingly.

Kurama stood, his mind already calculating and formulating plans. "Alright. What we need to do is check the rest of the building, look for any survivors. Then we need to make a plan for rescuing Lord Koenma. We also need to bury the dead, it would be the ri--"

"There's no need to do that," Botan said. She'd finally composed herself enough to accept rational thought and had been listening avidly to Kurama.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Yusuke asked.

"We don't need to bury them. We're in Reikai, so there's really no point. When they're needed again, which should be in about three hours, they'll come back and resume their work," she explained, being sure to use simple words for Yusuke and Kuwabara to understand.

"Oh."

"Alright, let's just skip to the rescue plan . . . " Kurama said, a little put off.

"That's simple. We bust in their, kick their butts, and bring the brat back here," Yusuke surmised.

"It is going to be much harder than that, baka," Saiyu said. She was leaning against a wall, her arms crossed and her eyes closed. They all turned to face her, giving her their full attention. "Think about it. They will be expecting us to attempt a rescue, so the captive area will be highly fortified. We will need stealth and efficient weapons. My grandfather, Hiei and I have all we need. However, I'm not so sure about you three." She opened her lavender orbs and stared at them.

"Well, I have my Spirit Gun and Kuwabaka over there--"

"Hey!"

"--has his Spirit Sword. I don't know what your brother has," Yusuke said, ticking his fingers off.

"I am not too concerned about my brother. I have taught him some control over his abilities. But he will need more training before we conduct this mission. All of us will. I suggest three days of intense training." Saiyu said, preparing to leave to do just that.

"Wait, hold up. If we train too hard, we won't have enough strength to go up against the dusch that kidnapped the toddler," Yusuke said.

"Saiyu and I both have rejuvenating plants that will restore our energy when we need it," Kurama reassured.

"What are we waiting for?" Hiei asked, standing from his leaning position and facing Botan expectantly.

The ferry girl just looked at him, growing more nervous by the second. "What!"

"Hn. We need a portal to Genkai's . . . "

"Oh, of course. How silly of me." She summoned a portal and they all stepped through. "Well, this is where I say good-bye and good luck," she said after they'd all arrived.

"Where are you going?" Kuwabara asked, his eyes searching for his "lovely Yukina".

"I'm going to go and see what I can do in Reikai. I also need to report all of this to King Enma, though I'm sure he already knows. I'll see you guys later. Be sure to train hard!" And with that she was gone through the portal.

"Spirit Gun!"

Saiyu jumped in the air, flipped and landed behind the Sprit Detective, her Redwood Sword held at his throat. He froze. "Game over."

He relaxed and she withdrew her weapon. Genkai stepped from the temple and headed toward the group, her face serious.

"Good work. You all have been training hard and I think it's finally beginning to pay off. But now to more serious matters. A package just arrived a few minutes ago, a video. We should all watch it together, it might give us clues as to Koenma's whereabouts."

She turned and led them back inside the temple, the others following closely behind. Once they reached the living room, they each took up different positions, some on the couch, one on the chair and the others leaning against a wall. Yukina came in, much to Kuwabara's pleasure, and handed everyone a cup of tea, then popped in the tape.

The screen fizzed for a few seconds, then a black silhouette could be seen. A distorted voice came through the speakers, "Reikai Tantei. And . . . others. We hope you enjoyed our little . . . surprise . . . we left in Reikai. It really took a long time to plan out, our little party. And it was all for you." The creature laughed deep in its throat. "But, on to more serious matters. As you know, we have the prince of Reikai in our custody. You also know we won't give him back without some kind of . . . payment. So our proposition is this. You give us the princess and we'll give you the prince. A fair trade, don't you think? You have six hours to think it over and deliver her. Meet us at the top of Mokio Enterprises once you've made your decision. And we hope it's the right one, for the brat's sake."

The T.V. screen once again fizzed, indicating the end of the recording, and Kurama reached forward and turned it off.

"Well, what do you think we should do?" Yusuke was the first to ask.

"First, who is this princess they're speaking of?" Genkai asked. She glanced at every face in the room, her eyes lingering on Saiyu and her brother. Keisu held her gaze for a few moments, then looked at the floor. Saiyu had her eyes closed and her arms crossed. She looked like she was asleep, which was a very good possibility. "Keisu?"

The young fox avoided everyone's gaze until he heard Saiyu's voice in his head.

It is all right, little brother. You may tell them who I am.

He sighed and looked the old woman in the eye. "Youko Saiyu."

"What?" Yusuke was on the edge of his seat. He turned to the spirit fox who was sitting next to him. "Kurama, did you know this?"

The red head nodded. "Yes, but it had slipped my mind. When I was still the thief Youko Kurama, I had acquired a small kingdom from a rivaling demon. He had challenged me to a duel and lost, thus beginning my reign as king. It wasn't long after that I took a mate and had Shiyu, who in turn mated Kuraiya and had Saiyu. She is the princess of Lantel Castle."

All stared at him. Finally, Hiei broke the silence. "Lantel Castle? Is that the best you, the infamous Youko Kurama, could think of?"

Kurama smiled, though it was slightly forced. "I didn't name it, my mate did."

"Hn." The fire apparition returned to his oblivious state, closing his eyes.

"So the one they want is Saiyu. If we turn her over--" Genkai started, but she was interrupted by both Kurama and Hiei, which was a surprise on the Koorime's part, for him and the others.

"We will not turn her over to them."

"I know you don't like it, but it's what we have to do. But you shouldn't worry. For one, she knows how to take care of herself, and for another, we won't really be giving her up," the old warrior reassured. "Of course, it is entirely up to her."

Everyone turned their attention to the Wolf/Kitsune. She looked at them, her mask of indifference in place. "I am not concerned with this plan. I will turn myself in, then when the timing is right, I will escape. It is a simple task."

"I still don't like it," Kurama said, worry lacing his voice.

Saiyu approached her grandfather, her face gentled by the love she was letting shine through. "I will be alright, Grandfather. You need not worry." She gave him a small hug, surprising the fox and the others, and then proceeded into the temple.

They looked after her, wondering if they should try to talk to the Youko or leave her be. Choosing the latter, they followed the woman inside.

Hiei couldn't sleep. His mind was whirling with the plans they had devised a mere two hours before. They now had four hours until it was put into action, and he was itching for a fight or two. Giving up on the prospect of a cat nap, he silently walked through the house, heading toward the back door and into the forest. Everyone else was asleep, they'd decided to rest and conserve and restore their energies. They would soon need it all.

Walking out of the temple, the Koorime glanced around him. Sensing an aura sitting atop the building, he jumped, and landed next to the demon.

"How do you plan to pull off this scheme of yours?" he asked.

Saiyu smirked, not looking at him. "I am in full confidence that I shall succeed in this 'scheme', as you call it. I may look like some weak woman, but I assure you, I can most definitely hold my own."

"Hn." he sat next to her, mimicking her and gazing at the moon.

There was silence for a few minutes. Then, "Why did you protest the prospect of turning me over to Koenma's captors?" she asked. She turned her lavender eyes to him.

He in turn looked at her and was surprised at the amount of emotion showing in the light depths. There was slight hesitation, curiosity, and possibly a little attraction. Is she attracted to me? "I don't know. I just felt the need to."

Her eyes showed that she doubted his answer, but the Youko decided against pushing him to supply the truth. Instead, she changed the subject. "I have always enjoyed the moon's light. Being half wolf, it has always given me a sense of peach and tranquility." She stared at the moon, the white rays washing over her and giving her an ethereal beauty.

Hiei had to pause in his response to remember what she said. Why am I so attracted to her? It can't just be the fact that my mating season is very near. "Hn. I would have never guessed you to be the peaceful type, Saiyu."

She once again looked at him. "Though I may appear indifferent and use a mask to hide my real emotions, I am not completely hollow."

"So we saw when you hugged Kurama earlier."

She allowed a small smile to grace her lips. "I love him very much. He was more of a father than a grandfather to me."

"What exactly happened to him? He told me in his previous life he was killed by a Spirit Hunter."

Her blue-gray hair shifted as she gave a slight nod of her head. "That is true. He was killed by Kishan."

"The same hanyou we're looking for?"

"Yes. He is the very first Spirit Hunter. He killed Youko Kurama when I was very young, thus unleashing my full power due to my rage and pain. And that pain has lived on all these years, growing." Her eyes seemed to catch fire as a spark of anger flamed to life. "I will be the one to kill Kishan. I owe it to my family and myself." She stood, preparing to jump off the roof and return to her room.

He heard her voice in his mind. Do not tell anyone what has transpired here. I trust you Hiei, and trust is not something I give easily. She leapt off, but Hiei stayed where he was, preferring to think about what he was just told.

One hour before the deadline, they all gathered at the steps. Kagome had arrived a little while ago, Genkai having called her.

"Are we ready?" Yusuke asked. At everyone's nod, he walked down the stairs saying, "Let's go get the toddler."

Voila. Done. I know there was a bit of OOC-ness, but it couldn't be helped. It went with the story. Besides, why can't Hiei act a little out of character when his mating season so near? Can you tell me that? Anyway, I hope you liked it. Let me know if I need to change anything. Hopefully, we'll be getting a little closer to the romance bit, but I warn you, it won't be very Mary Sue-ish. Read and review people! JA!