Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Grief ❯ Deal ( Chapter 12 )

Twelve

Deal

 

 

Ijin glared at the horizon where Sho and Jin had disappeared. Had the Wind Master been too late? Was the girl dead? A sudden fear wrapped its icy fingers around his heart as the consequences of that latter thought came vividly to his mind.

 

Kojiatsu was never a merciful master when it came to failure.

 

Just as the helplessness one is normally seized with before they know they are about to die took hold of the demon, a sudden flare of energy—energy that Ijin recognized with a mixed sense of relief—rose in the direction Sho had been thrown. Ijin's grotesque features twisted into a vulgar parody of a smile. The foolish Shinobi was doing all his work for him!

 

>>>>>>>

 

Sho squinted her eyes against the sting of the swiftly passing winds, trying to see their ultimate destination and ignore the throbbing pain in her shattered arm. Jin's arms hooked under hers, he tried his best not to jostle the injured limb while still keeping a swift speed. He tried so hard to keep the dreading thoughts of what could happen from his mind, but they came anyways, and he held on all the tighter.

 

So…this is it, huh? Shodi asked, unimpressed.

 

Don't jump to conclusions just yet, Sho replied. I have my idea…we just have to hope it works.

 

If you say so…

 

The temple was in sight now—Ijin's bulky black form filling the courtyard. Sho's eyebrows came together in slants above her eyes as she forced back the implications of her decision.

 

“Set down a little ways in front of him!” she shouted above the roaring winds.

 

Jin consented, and began to slow as they descended a few yards in front of the demon. Carefully, he let Sho down first—making sure she had her balance—and then set down behind her.

 

All doubt and troubling thoughts fled from her mind as she stared down her sire's messenger. Ijin's beady eyes sunk down in black, squishy flesh returned the glare.

 

“Sssomething'sss on yourrr mind?” the larger demon queried.

 

“Yes, as a matter fact, there is,” Sho replied calmly. “I have a proposition for you, Ijin.”

 

“Oh? And jussst what isss it?”

 

She paused, looking to her inner souls to make sure that they were in agreement with her. Both stared on grimly, supporting their companion with their steadfastness. Sho smiled and took in a deep breath.

 

“I will come with you to Demon World, no questions asked. But, in turn, you must give me one week to prepare.”

 

Ijin didn't reply immediately, so surprised was he with her words. But then the last part of her deal sunk in, and the demon suddenly thought of his master, thought of his wrath.

 

“One week?! What do you think thisss isss? Sssome type of…field trrrip?? I will not accept thossse terrrmsss!”

 

Sho sighed in resign.

 

“Well, then how about I put it this way: Give me this short amount of time, or I will kill you here and now and go there myself in my own swell time. Your pick.”

 

“Why you—!”

 

“SILENCE!” Sho's power flared, her features twisting into a furious snarl. “Do you still not realize just who I am?! Why, do you think, is Kojiatsu so desperate to have me!”

 

Jin was forced to take a few steps back from Sho's power, shielding his face with an arm. Winds whipped around her as raw demon power seemingly leaked from her very skin. So powerful was this outburst that even her eyes glowed a menacing red, leaving no room for argument or second thoughts.

 

Ijin flinched at the power; fear seizing him as he—truly—realized just how powerful this young woman was. He already knew that Kojiatsu has absorbed a quarter of her soul, and she was still this potent! What would she have been like with her full abilities to aid her?

 

The demon growled, but knew that he had been defeated. Grudgingly, he backed down.

 

“Fine…I accept yourrr deal… But one week isss too long! I will give you fourrr daysss!”

 

“Five!”

 

“Deal!” the two shouted in unison, staring one another down. Ijin was forced to look away first, the demoness's glare too powerful for him to match.”

 

“I will be back, five daysss frrrom thisss verrry minute,” he growled, and then disappeared in a shimmer of violet light.

 

A smile born of relief graced Sho's lips as her power receded. She turned to look at Jin who was saying something that she could not hear. His lips kept moving…but no sound came out…

 

Still smiling, Sho lost herself in darkness.