Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Rose that Binds ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The two groups stood there, sizing each other up. Keisu, Kurama, and Hiei all had murderous looks on their faces, ideas of what the fiend did to Saiyu running through their minds not helping the situation, other than to fill them with even more murderous rage.

Kishan continued to mock them, trying to bait them into attacking.

"Is there some reason you have yet to attack me? Are you that afraid of me?"

Yup, he's his father's son, alright, Kagome thought ironically, recalling the many times Naraku had taunted Inuyasha much the same way.

It seemed like it was working exceptionally well on Hiei. He kept glancing from Youko Saiyu to Kishan, trying to decide whether or not it was a good idea to cut the half demon's head off or unleash his Dragon of the Darkness Flame.

As he glanced at Saiyu again, his gaze lingered. She shook her head slightly. He gave her a questioning, stubborn glare. She glared back, her unspoken words clear. If you try anything now, you will most certainly die.

So he closed his eyes, shutting out Kishan's jibes and finding that peace of mind to resist the urge to charge forward.

Kishan finally noticed that his tactics were not working. So, he turned to Saiyu and approached. She glared at him from the corner of her eye, her body tensing. He noticed this and smirked, continuing forward.

"Now, then, Princess. Time to do what we talked about earlier. Raise me an army," he said as he reached her and stood just before her.

It was her turn to smirk. "And why should I? There is no incentive for me to do anything you request. So, to put it in Yusuke's terms, you are screwed."

He frowned. "That etiquette does not become you. I'd appreciate it if you didn't use it again. And I give you your incentive now. Do as I say, or your beloved family will die. Again."

She glared, but still did nothing. Kishan's eyes grew hard and, suddenly, three more Kishans were standing behind Keisu, Kurama, and Kagome, each with a sword to their respective victim's throat. Saiyu's glare intensified before her eyes began glowing a soft white. The glow flowed from the ground, throughout her body, before finally gathering in her hands. She closed her eyes in concentration and the glow slowly began to drift like fog, then pulsate into the ground. It diminished and all was silent. Then the ground shook and bodies and plants long dead emerged, forming a half circle around Saiyu and Kishan.

Kishan laughed heartily. "Wonderful! And now, my dear Saiyu. I'll fulfill my threat, though I'll be tweaking it a bit. Instead of me killing them, I want you to do it. With my new army."

Saiyu, though expecting the words, still widened her eyes before narrowing them dangerously. It was different hearing them. "I will do no such thing."

"Trust me, it would be far more merciful than what I have planned for them." He opened his mind to her, and she was overwhelmed with images of himself torturing her family and friends in excruciating detail.

She turned back around and faced the Rekai Tantei and Keisu. Their eyes were wide as Kishan's demand was let out in the open. They weren't expecting it.

Saiyu's eyes met with those of each one and lingered on them for a moment or two. Finally, she closed them, and motioned with her arms for the Army of the Dead to advance forward. "Kill them. Kill them all."

As the army advanced, the five members crouched low, each readying their weapons. When the dead saw the defensive stances, they charged forward as the bloodlust consumed them.

Saiyu only looked on as her "family" fought for all they were worth. Kishan stood beside her, laughing as wound after wound was inflicted on each member. This went on for hours, neither party letting up, though it was clear that one of them was tiring quickly. For each dead that fell, two more seemed to take its place as the fallen corpse arose once again.

"I don't know how much longer I can do this," Yusuke said, taking a quick breather to re-charge his Spirit Gun.

"Neither do I. But remember, there is still hope," Kurama said, wrapping his Rose Whip around the head of one soldier and giving it a forceful yank. The head rolled off and the body fell to the ground, only to climb back to its feet and attack once again, as though nothing happened.

As Kurama prepared for another swing of his Whip, the army stopped dead in its tracks, turning around.

"What are you doing? Finish the job!" Kishan screamed in frustration and confusion.

"If you had truly understood my power, then you would have known they only obey the one who raised them. And in this case, I believe that would be me," Saiyu said, her voice an emotionless monotone. "You did not truly believe I would kill them, did you?"

Kishan was furious. He faced the group, his eyes widening. There was a lot of blood on the ground, yes. But it was all from wounds that were obviously not fatal. "How could you have done this? You had no time to discuss it!"

"Simple. There are other ways to convey messages," Keisu said, grinning.

FLASHBACK

Saiyu's eyes met with those of each one and lingered on them for a moment or two.

Listen to me closely. As I told this miserable demon beside me, I have absolutely no intention of killing you. But to throw him offguard, we must make him believe that I have betrayed you. So here is my plan.

I will attack with my army. They will only listen to the one who resurrects them. I shall telepathically give them the orders Kishan gives, making it seem they are obeying him.

Fight as though your lives depended on it. I will constantly order my army not to deliver fatal blows. Kishan will be too absorbed in his power hungry state to notice it until it is too late.

Do you all understand?They all gave imperceptible nods or the "okay".

Oh, and if it is at all possible, try not to demolish too many of my soldiers, we will need them should another battle take place.

END FLASHBACK

"You betrayed me!" Kishan screamed, reaching out to Saiyu. A blast of white hot energy flew between them, cutting him off abruptly from his prey. He turned his eyes toward the man who shot it.

Yusuke grinned and waved. "C'mon, I've been needing a bit of fun."

Kishan growled, and just as he turned to charge at the Detective, he felt a burning hot pain in his back between his shoulder blades. He let out a scream and twisted around, causing his flesh to rip further.

Saiyu stood there, her Shinaptra buried deeply in his back, dripping blood and glowing with spiritual powers. "I was never on your side, Kishan, nor did I ever have the intention to be. This ends now. May you burn in Hell with your father!" She yanked forcefully on the Shinaptra, tearing more skin, muscle and bone, spinning her staff quickly before aiming it for Kishan's neck.

Kishan let out a scream of pure outrage and pain, trying to avoid the oncoming attack. The blade struck . . . And sliced through completely. A black mist shot from the corpse and the party leapt back to avoid Kishan's burning aura and miasma.

As though from a distance, the hanyou's voice surrounded them. "This isn't over yet! I will have you, Youko Saiyu, and the power of the Shikon no Tama! One way or another, I will have you!"

Saiyu flicked her Shinaptra, removing it of blood, before replacing the weapon in her hair. She stared at the horizon before slowly turning around. Her eyes met Hiei's and softened an almost imperceptible amount. But two others noticed the change before it was once again replaced by the cool mask of stone.

The demoness' eyes roamed over the rest of the group before turning to the army. As quickly as they appeared from the ground, the corpses of those dead and the plants keeled over and sunk back into the earth.

Saiyu returned her gaze to her companions and walked forward, past them. "Let us go. I do not want to linger here a moment longer than need be."

Everyone else was in complete agreement and rushed out, seeming as though they couldn't get out fast enough for their liking.

Unseen and unsensed, a shadow followed closely behind, keeping close on the heels of its target as its master commanded.

Not far away, in an abandoned building that he had "liberated" from its previous owners, Kishan sat, outraged, watching his minion follow the group through the mirror of a small, snow white girl. Fools. You will not evade me for long. I will have you, Youko Saiyu. One way or another, I will have your power. And the Jewel's.


The group didn't stop moving until they once again reached civilization and a fairly safe area. There, they all crowded around Saiyu, must to her displeasure.

"...What?"

Yusuke was the first to speak. "Why didn't you tell us you were some super necromancer?"

"Because I am not."

"But you brought all those dead things back to life," Kuwabara observed.

"Yes, but I am not necessarily a necromancer."

"Would you care to explain?" Kagome sat, patiently waiting.

Saiyu nodded and sat as well. "Very well, though the story will be short." The rest of the group followed their example, save Kurama and Hiei. "As you all are aware, Youko Kurama is my grandfather. He was also a Sprit Kitsune, though not in the same sense as myself, and my mother was a Spirit Wolf. Because of the two spiritual powers combining, my grandfather and father's power over plants was passed along to me and my mother's ability to deal with the dead was passed as well. Thus, I am able to control plants and spirits, even if they are dead."

"Well...That explains a lot," Yusuke mumbled.

"Not really. It only explains why she's a basic necro. It still doesn't explain why Kishan wants her so badly," Keisu put in. Yusuke glowered at him.

"I was gettin' to that."

"Well, you didn't get to it fast enough."

"I do things my own way, ya damn fox!"

"It's a wonder you're still alive, you damn human!"

The two grappled on the ground, yelling more obscenities, until Hiei stepped in. "If you two are finished acting like children, perhaps you can stop your bickering long enough to listen to Youko Saiyu's explaination?"

The scowled at him, then each other, and backed away, their arms folded in a gloomy pout.

"The reasons for Kishan's want of me are simple. I have power and I absolutely despise him."

"That's it? Those are the only reasons?" Kagome asked in slight disbelief.

Saiyu nodded.

"But what about the whole 'dawn of the dead' thing he had you doin'?" Kuwabara asked.

"That, too, is easily explained. It has to do with the power I possess, which he desires."

"Oh."

Kagome stood. "Well, it's almost dawn, and we need to get all of the non-humans to my place so they can try to look actually normal."

"If you mean those incredibly uncomfortable garments you insisted on buying, I refuse," Saiyu glowered, her ears backing slightly.

"I'm sorry, Saiyu, but I am afraid you don't have much choice in the matter. If we are going to search for Kishan, everyone needs to look as human as possible to avoid drawing attention to us. And those of us with school can not afford to miss any more," Kurama placated.

Keisu snickered. "I still find it hard to believe that a one thousand year old demon has to go to a school for fifteen to eighteen year old humans. Oh, the irony!" Kagome bopped his head, which he subsequently held. "Ow! Grandma!"

"Behave yourself, school isn't exactly easy."

"Yes, ma'am," he mumbled, rubbing his head.

She gave a final nod of her head. "Well, shall we be off then?"


Twenty minutes later at Kagome's, she and Botan were currently trying to get Saiyu into her new look.

"No, that goes through there!"

"No, no; here!"

Finally, Saiyu slipped her arm through the sleeve and her leg through the pants leg. Kagome then proceeded to show her how to button and zip them up.

"Why don't you walk around, see how you like them?" Botan suggested.

"I do not..." Saiyu sulked, but she strolled around the room anyway. The pants were slighly scratchy against her skin and gave off a faint rustling noise, which, to her ears, was actually quite loud and annoying. The shirt, she could live with, as it fairly skin tight.

"Well, what do you think?" Kagome asked, her hands clasped together.

"How can you humans stand this? There is so much noise, and the feel of the fabric is quite uncomfortable."

Kagome shrugged. "Well, I don't know really. We were clothes like this only a few years after we're born, so we have a really long time to get used to them, I guess. They'll get better, you'll see."

Somehow I doubt that...

"Are you primadonnas almost done yet?!" Yusuke yelled upstairs.

"Yes, Yusuke! Well, let's go before he sends the cavalry up. Not even locks stop him," Botan said. The three women made their way down to the living room, where the guys waited. Keisu was dressed in much the same fashion as Kurama, with a button down shirt and some nice jeans. He had already disguised his foxy features. Saiyu quickly did the same.

"Ok, so, now we know what, or rather, whom Kishan wants. What is the plan to deal with it?" Kurama asked.

"What we need to do is destroy him," Hiei mumbled, his eyes glinting.

"We already know that, Shorty," Kuwabara spat.

"Hn." The others blinked in surprise. Hiei scowled. "What are you all staring at?"

"You didn't threaten him. You didn't even insult him back. Are you feeling OK, Hiei?" Yusuke said, remembering at the last minute that it probably wouldn't be a good idea to try and feel the man's forehead.

Hiei growled, his hand twitching near his sword. Yusuke grinned, albeit a bit nervously. "There he is!"

"Can we move along please?" Kagome asked. "Anyway, we have a bit of a problem. Kishan has almost the full Jewel. I think that what we need to do first is to find the missing pieces as soon as possible, preferably before he does."

"Right. So...how are you gonna do that?" Kuwabara asked, his face scrunched up in concentrating.

"It will be easy, we have two things Kishan doesn't," Kurama said, smiling slightly.

"And those would be?" Yusuke asked, cleaning out his ear.

Keisu stepped forward and motioned to him and Kagome. "Us."

"Oh, yeah! You guys are like those things that detect metal only you detect Jewel shards!" Kuwabara happily concluded.

Hiei scoffed. "Idiot..."

"Care to say that again, you little imp?!"

"Children!" All went quiet at Saiyu's less than patient outburst. "Control yourselves! We have not the time for your foolish bickering. We must begin our search for the remaining shards as soon as possible, and as covertly."

"Right. OK, hold on a minute and Keisu and I will locate them," Kagome said. Before she could look around, Saiyu and Kurama stopped her.

"Wait."

"What is it?" Botan asked, looking around.

"We are not alone here. It appears there is a spy in our midst." Saiyu began to glow brightly. The others were forced to shield their eyes. "There, in the corner." Looking, they saw a small misshapen shadow now sillhoueted and clearely visible, clinging to the walls.

"Okay, so we found the spy. How do we kill it?" Yusuke asked.

"Kagome, get a container, preferably glass, please," Kurama requested, going toward the shadow, which hissed and shrank back.

Kagome came back with a glass jar and a lid. "Will this work?"

Kurama took it, then clamped it over the shadow, quickly screwing the lid on tightly. "It's perfect, thank you."

Saiyu extinguished her glow. When their eyesight returned to normal, a swirling black mass was trapped inside the jar.

Yusuke tapped on the glass, making the thing shrink back, then shove itself at the walls. "What is it?"

"It is a shadow imp," Saiyu explained, grabbing the detective's hand so he would stop tapping on the glass.

"Never heard of it."

"It's no surprise, really. Shadow imps are hard to come by and even harder to make serve you. They can manipulate and hide in any kind of shadow and have a really vicious streak if ever captured. If you do manage to get one to obey you, you have the perfect assassin and spy," Kurama explained.

"Okay, so what do we do with the thing?" Keisu asked, cocking his head in curiosity. The imp charged at the walls, causing the jar to rock back and forth precariously.

Kurama steadied it with his hand. "There is nothing we can do, exept try to release it from Kishan and return it to Makai."

"We will have to do that later. Right now we must find the location of the Jewel shard," Saiyu said., taking the jar and storing it in Kagomes large pack.

"Right." Kagome said, and began looking again. "I found it! It's--" Her eyes lit up, before falling on her backpack. "That thing can't hear us, can it?"

"No."

"OK. It's in the western half of the city, near the old warehouse complexes," she directed, marking the spot on a map Keisu had brought in.

"All right. At first light, we will go in search of the shard.”