Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Before I Die ❯ Chapter 19

Author's Notes: My boyfriend was in town for a week, so sorry for the sluggishness on any art or stories. I miss him so much already. =(

 

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The Alma Kinan woman fell in behind Jin to make sure he wasn't about to try something. She refused to put her weapon away as she made it to the fellow Grassland Village. “So they would allow a beast like you to nest here for the time being,” she said between the three of them.

 

“He isn't evil,” Piper interjected rather quickly. “Surely you could search within your heart to see that as the rest of us have.”

 

The foreign Grasslander shifted her brown eyes upon Piper. “I refuse to make my assumptions just yet. I wish to see this sick friend of his.” Skepticism was hanging upon every word she spoke. She was obviously not very trusting of the demon, but Jin expected as much as he guided her further into the Chisha Clan's boarders.

 

Some of the tribe members nearby couldn't help but stop what they were doing as well to gawk at the Alma Kinan knowing exactly what she was. Whispers hissing across the vineyard, the Grasslander paid them no mind as she made it to the underground section of the village. She wasn't used to the cold surroundings given her home out in the forestlands. The wind demon led her to Touya's bedroom. The door opening up to reveal the quaint little room lit by a single flame, she watched as Jin made it over to the bedside.

 

“He is over here,” said Jin as he waved her over. “He is sleeping for the time being, but can you not just look at him?”

 

Putting her weapon away for the time being, the Grasslander slowly advanced towards the slumbering Touya. She knew that the wind demon was sincere in his previous remarks. Reaching her hand out nervously, she closed her eyes to concentrate on the demon's spirit. She slowly reopened them with a serious expression. “He is slowly slipping into the other world. A part of him is struggling to hold on, but who knows how much longer he will remain on this plain.”

 

“Please tell me there is something you can do to help him. I've heard your village is more advanced then any other!” Jin expressed with his fist close to his demonic heart.

 

Before she could make her decision, the chief of the Chisha Clan appeared at the doorway. “I know that the demons, despite their race, have been rather interesting visitors,” the elder woman explained as she slowly moved to the group. “I, without a doubt, have a feeling they would respect your clan and their rules if you were to take them under.” Her old, weary eyes turned to Jin with a kind smile. “I have to admit, I will miss them when they are gone.”

 

The Alma Kinan archer understood where Sana was coming from, and a smile was conveyed upon her lips soon enough with an understanding nod to follow. She turned to Jin, prompting the wind demon to slightly perk up at the smile he could see upon her. “My name is Neleen. I will take you to my village. Hopefully we can find a solution to your friend's problem.”

 

Jin's ears slightly perking up, he nodded several times with a relived grin. “Thank you so much, Neleen!” He couldn't help but lunge for her to wrap his arms around the Amazon woman in a tight hug.

 

Neleen shifted her eyes about a bit nervous with the uncomfortable show of affection. “Well then,” she began, pushing the demon back. “We'll just get your friend wrapped up and taken to my clan. We should get this done before nightfall.”

 

“What about the doctor working on Touya, Sana?” Piper asked between the two of them. “He was making some progress, I would think.”

 

“I will tell Dr. Sur'don to go ahead and follow them with his crew. I am sure this tribe has been shut off from civilization for too long and new faces may be refreshing.” Sana turned to take her leave of the bedroom. “If you want to go with them, Piper, I don't see any harm in that either.”

 

Piper was a bit resistant at the thought of leaving her home, but she was curious as to how things would turn out for the ice demon. She knew that Jin was relieved they finally found the village, and Piper, herself, felt that they were close to possibly healing the ice master. “I'll go with you,” Piper announced as she made her way to the door as well. “Let me just go pack a few things, and I will be back.”

 

“We'll have quite a few new quests this round,” Neleen remarked with a light giggle. “I guess we shouldn't complain. We have been in isolation for some time.” She waved at Jin to come help her with the other demon. Upon her fingers touching his skin, Neleen jerked her hands back. “Goodness, he is quite cold! What kind of demon is he?”

 

“He is an ice demon,” Jin explained as he headed over to his companion to help him sit upright while he was slumbering. “If you need me to touch him, I will.”

 

“Please do,” she said, moving out of Jin's way not wishing to have that painful sensation touch her body again.

 

Jin gently started to lift Touya from the bed to help him into his arms. “I'll keep him wrapped up just in case. Lately he has been feeling quite ill when it comes to wandering outside in the fresh air, especially when it is too warm or too cold. It is like his body cannot handle the cold temperature it used to. He is actually not as cold as he once was.”

 

“How strange,” Neleen began, her words insinuating she was in thought, “especially for an ice demon.” Turning to Piper, she nodded at the fellow Grasslander. “If you plan on joining us, I suggest you pack your things and get ready to leave. I will be waiting near the forest lands when you're all ready.”

 

“I don't have many things myself,” Jin felt need to point out as he got his companion in his arms. “All I have to worry about is Touya, his books, and Wind Song.”

 

“Let me go grab my belongings, and I will join you both.” Piper smiled briefly as she made her leave of the room to head to her own.

 

With everyone out of the room, Jin looked to the many books on the table with a curious expression. I guess it would be a bit pointless to bring books about a civilization we're going to go see, he thought, but then he remembered he was still learning to read from Piper. Realizing he had to put Touya back down for a moment, he made his way over to the bed to lie him upon his back before grabbing a brown sack to put all the books within. Throwing the sack full of books over his shoulder, he made it back over to Touya to pick him back up best he could.

 

Just as the wind master was about to reach for him again, Touya stirred in his slumber and opened his eyes slowly to have them adjust to the poor lighting about him. “J-Jin…? What is going on? Where are you going?” He noted the brown sack he had over his shoulder, acting as though the redhead were off to somewhere.

 

Jin was slightly startled by Touya waking up, but he was quick to snap back to attention. “Touya, I finally found one!” He stated excitedly between the two of them.

 

Touya pursed his lips as if to threaten to say `what' while shaking his head at Jin's jubilance.

 

“Come with me and you will see!” Jin insisted as he helped Touya get to his feet at least. “You will get better in no time. I promise!”

 

Leaning against the wind demon, he shook his head at Jin with a soft sigh. “Ever since you got here, you've been acting strange…well, stranger then usual anyways,” Touya had to admit as he leaned against the wind demon to be helped out of the bedroom.

 

Jin refused to say much else as he helped Touya to the surface at the ice demon's pace. Getting above ground, Jin witnessed as Touya shielded his eyes from the bright sun as if it were paining him. Carefully, he guided the ill demon further beyond the vineyard to where Neleen was waiting for them. “Neleen, this is my friend, Touya.”

 

The sun was still making it terribly difficult for Touya to see. He continued to cover his eyes a bit before peeking through them to see the woman clad in green and brown leather attire. He recognized the appearance, prompting him to lower his hand a bit further from his face. “An Alma Kinan…?” He wondered between the three of them. “How is this possible!”

 

“When your other friend gets here, I will explain along the way,” Neleen expressed as she turned upon her heels to head further into the woods. “Come this way at least. The sun appears to be bothering your eyes. Best to have the trees shield its rays for you then tire your arm.” Leaning against one of the trees nearby, she crossed her arms upon her chest. “You must know a great deal about our clan to know our clan's name, demon.”

 

Touya relaxed himself in the shade with Jin, shrugging at Neleen's comment. “When I got sick, the only thing I could do was read, so I read about the Grassland Clans. Yours were scattered here and there even in the Grassland literature, so I found the Alma Kinan to be interesting.”

 

“Hu,” Neleen began in thought. “Odd that a demon would find interest in our clan in non-sadistic ways.” Sensing someone coming their way, Neleen gazed over towards the Chisha Clan's vineyard to see Piper heading towards them with the doctor, who was tending to Touya. “I suppose we're all ready?”

 

“I am ready,” Dr. Sur'don responded. “I decided to let my nurses remain here. I don't need extra hands at the moment, so I should be fine.”

 

“Almost,” said Jin as he put his fingers to his mouth to whistle quite loudly to call down Wind Song. The wind shifting about under his wings, the white griffon landed near the redhead with a soft chirping sound. “Good boy,” he praised, stroking the wild beast between the feathery ears. “I know you won't mind carrying Touya for me.” Helping his friend upon the griffon's back, he made sure Touya remained clothed up pretty well. “Now we are ready to go.”

 

Neleen led them into the forest, back to the area where Jin had been occasionally picking flowers for Touya. She guided them further to the west where the clan had been apparently hiding out. “For many years, the Alma Kinan Clan went into isolation, but not before long, the magical border surrounding our clan started to diminish and weaken.” She moved some of the weak branches out of her way, continuing deeper into the forest to where the village was hidden. “So, naturally, when we started seeing a demon showing up not too far away, we were nervous he was going to come and start trouble with our clan.”

 

“We are going so far into the woods,” Piper explained nervously. “I have heard that if you go too far, you'll get lost forever.”

 

The Amazon woman chuckled, turning to the woman. “That is because of the magical field we put around our clan,” she answered, making it to the brink of where it was located. “Whenever someone not of our clan comes within this area, they walk right past it and continue onwards forever.” With a wave of her hand, she made the magical barrier a bit more visible. The blue light flickered and sparked to show its unstable behavior. “With it weakening, anybody could easily slip inside of our village.”

 

“No wonder nobody knew where you were,” Touya remarked weakly from the griffon's back. “Hiding behind strong magic for so many years…that is incredible.”

 

Knowing that the ice demon was in much discomfort, Neleen focused on removing the portal for the fellow travelers to pass through. “Go on ahead. The woods should open up and lead you to our village. I will be behind you to seal back up the portal best I can.”

 

Jin guided the griffon into the opened portal with Piper close beside them. Most of the forest looking the same as before, it eventually reopened into something different the further on the three of them traveled. The trees spreading further apart, a gate made of wood soon came within view. “This must be it,” whispered Jin as a smile graced his features. Heading towards the open gates, they were soon stopped by the sound of bowstrings being pulled back.

 

“Halt!” One of the Amazon women demanded as she aimed her arrow right at the intruders. “Who are you people, and why are you here?”

“Stop!” Neleen yelled, coming up from the rear. “They are here because I brought them here!” She shouted up to the archers. “Let them in. They don't mean us any harm.”

 

The women of the Alma Kinan Clan were obviously very trusting of one another and did what Neleen asked without question. Their bows lowered, the four visitors were able to pass through the gates without worry of being attacked. Making their way inside of the village, they found it to be quite tranquil. All of the buildings were made mostly of timber, and the quilted fabrics were made in many different designs and forest like hues.

 

“Being the only men I can guarantee we're going to get a lot of stares,” Jin remarked between him, Sur'don, and Touya though Neleen couldn't help but overhear as well as Piper.

 

“Men are never allowed within our clan boundaries is why, demon,” the Amazon archer felt need to express as she led them to the inn. “I am afraid it is a personal reason as to why they are never allowed here.” She made her way up the wooden staircase to the door to the village's inn, which was hardly used, as passersby were always rare.

 

“It is because you don't trust them,” Touya answered as he helped himself down off of Wind Song's back. “You believe all they are responsible for is war, among other things.”

 

Neleen was quiet before turning to look at the ice master. “So you really are a reader. Though I must admit, I am surprised anybody knew that and wrote it down.” Opening the front door, she allowed them on inside. “The inn hasn't seen visitors for some time, so be mindful of that. I will return shortly to check on you. I need to speak to our healer shaman.”

 

The innkeeper seeing the two demonic males, she couldn't help but inhale sharply and fear for her life as they continued to advance towards her. “Can I help you…?” She asked as professionally as possible, knowing there must have been a reason they made it past the archers.

 

“All four of us need a place to stay,” Jin answered. “You can give me and my friend here our room together, and give Piper and the doctor their own.” He knew it would be awkward for the two humans to be placed with the two of them, and not to mention awkward for him as well.

 

“Well then,” the innkeeper began as she guided them up the steps to the back door. “I can help you to our open rooms.” The hallway stretched vertically before them with ten doors lined up and down the hall. “Okay, I do believe that the single bedroom is just right here.” The elderly woman made her way over to the first door diagonally before her left. She opened the wooden door to peek inside to make sure it was indeed the room she was thinking of. “Oh, yes, this is the one. So here you go, miss.”

 

“Thank you,” Piper said with a gracious bow before heading on inside with her belongings.

 

“Now for you two,” the woman said as she headed a bit further down the hallway. Walking to the room she had a feeling was the one, her hands gripped the doorknob and opened it slightly to peek inside before pushing it further open for them to look into. “This is the right room.”

 

Jin helped Touya inside of the undisturbed room. There were two beds separated by a nightstand in between them. A few wooden pillars decorated the room as well, making the interior design rather unique. There was even a small balcony at the opposite end of the room that led to outside. The wind master made certain that the ice demon was at least situated properly on the bed closest to the balcony, feeling he may prefer to have a closer look to the outside world.

 

“Make yourselves at home,” she said almost with hesitation before excusing herself from the room. Her muffled voice could be heard from behind the closed door. “Now, to find your room.”

 

“If I could be close to the patient, that would be convenient for me,” Dr. Sur'don's voice remarked from the hallway. His and the inn keeper's footsteps became quieter the further on they walked.

 

Touya removed the blanket from about his fragile body. “This place looks a lot different then I thought it would,” he mumbled almost to himself as he got to his feet to head to the balcony for a moment.

 

“Is that a good or bad thing?” Jin wondered with a chuckle as he headed behind the ice master to make sure he didn't go outside. “I know you always wanted to see this place, and now this is your chance.”

 

His fingers tapped upon the woodwork on the doors leading out to the balcony before bringing his hand to his side. “Or see it and die here,” he mentioned somberly with a sigh, heading back to the bed from where he once was.

 

“Please don't talk like that,” the redhead insisted, blowing some of his wild hair out of his face. “You know I want you to get better, and I know that they can help!”

 

Touya shook his head with a shrug. “I am just not as sure as you are, Jin. I want to believe I will be okay, but without my True Water Rune, I just—.”

 

“Stop talking like that! Please!” Jin yelled almost angrily. He could see that Touya was a bit shocked by his demands. He witnessed as the ice master expressed his surprise before he glanced away from Jin with an annoyed expression almost to follow. Jin joined Touya on the bed, looking about the room wondering what else to say. “I am sure, umm, once you get better, there will be plenty of things to see around here.”

 

Knowing that if he said anything about his end would only upset Jin again, Touya kept his words to himself that time. “Possibly,” was all he could hope to respond with. “I have been wanting to see this place. It is beyond my expectations,” Touya reiterated. As he was just sitting there, he felt the wind demon wrap his arms around his cold, frail body. His eyes a bit wide in surprise, he looked down at the snuggling wind master. “Jin?” He asked, wondering what was on his mind.

 

Jin said nothing at first as he nuzzled into Touya's chest gently, making sure he wouldn't harm the demon. “I just don't want anything to happen to you,” he mentioned quietly, fighting back the tears he knew would come if he spoke much else or thought more on the matter.

 

A knock coming upon the door, Jin and Touya both turned to glance at the wood crafted door before each other. Jin pulled from the ice master to head for the closed entryway. “Come in,” he insisted upon opening it to reveal Neleen and another young Alma Kinan woman.

 

“Jin, this is one of the shamans in our village,” Neleen explained as she stepped to the side to reveal her. She was probably in her mid to early 20s with brown hair resting upon her upper back. “She is a great healer and might have ways to help your friend.”

 

“I sure hope she can help,” Jin responded with a bit of doubt as he watched the quiet shaman head towards the ill-stricken Touya.

 

The young woman outstretched her hand, resting her wide palm several inches from Touya's forehead. Closing her eyes, she waved her hand back and forth slightly to gather the energy reading of the demon. “He is a powerful creature,” she mentioned aloud, opening her eyes. “But he is severally weakened by whatever has a hold on his body. So what symptoms are you exhibiting?”

 

Touya shrugged a bit with a deep breath. “I am coughing so hard I'll cough up blood, I get into these dizzy spells too, and I am weak almost all the time,” he listed.

 

“Sounds like there is something causing harm to your body and trying to make sure it is slowly destroyed,” said the shaman as she led her fingers down to his throat. “I know just one touch of your skin could very well send a shock of cold right through me, so I won't for now.” Pointing at his throat, she closed her eyes and focused her energy on the spot before trailing it downwards to his chest. A small, circular light seemed to emanate from the chest, causing her to open her eyes once more to see it for herself. “It is there,” she said rather vaguely. Neleen and Jin coming closer, she looked over her shoulder to find them there before continuing. “Whatever is harming him is in his chest—preferably, his lungs.”

 

“Is there anyway to heal it though?” Touya wondered as he just wanted to find a cure if it was possible.

 

“That's a good question,” said the shaman as she lowered her hand, causing the light to fade from the ice master. “What did the man say? You know, the doctor who came with you all.”

 

“He cut me open to find the problem in my lungs as well. He said I had some abnormal tissue growing about my lung area and it was restricting my air flow,” said Touya as he motioned about his chest.

 

“I am afraid, until I can find a direct cure, all I can do is subdue the affects this is having. I might be able to cause the lung swelling to lower as well—we shall see.” Getting to her feet, she bowed to everyone respectfully before heading to the door. “My name is Galleria,” she said at the door. “Nice to meet you all. I shall return shortly.”

 

Neleen nodded at the two. “I shall leave you both alone myself. If you want to look about the village, feel free to do so.” Closing the door behind her, the Grasslander placed her back against the wooden surface of it on the opposite side. She took in a deep breath before releasing it as if to clear her mind before heading off down the hallway.