Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Inheritance ❯ Passing On ( Chapter 18 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Chapter 18
Passing On
Kurama pants wildly as the shield goes up. That hadn't gone as well as planned. He hadn't expected Makatashi would know how to move, let alone so well. But a thief's hands are swift, they still have the earring. Better yet, the earring is protecting them instead of regenerating Makatashi's limbs.
It would only quite naturally respond better to a kitsune's energy; it was after all made for the kitsune. Makatashi can get past the shield but it will take him a bit and will drain him of a great deal of power. This gives Kurama time to explain to his family and get them all out of harm's way. Not to plan, but better than he could have hoped for two weeks ago.
He feels Yukina's cold presence approach him and he waves her off. She wants to heal him but it is best that she save that precious energy for later.The others have been quite patient, giving him time to catch his breath; they need answers, a plan, reassurance. Thankfully, he can provide.
As always.
"You alright Fox?" Hiei's voice, as bored as ever. Of course he would be the first to speak up, he isn't one to back down from fear or uncertainty. Kurama smiles and gets to his feet. The time they have bought is precious and he can't afford to waste it.
"I'm fine Hiei, but I've only bought us a little bit of time. Just long enough for Makatashi to figure out what I did and break down the barrier." Kurama picks up the earring and shoves it into his pocket. "So long as it is on me it won't respond to his energy, but I am unaware of how to use it myself. We need to follow the river to the back of the cave." He gestures to a small river not far away. The lighting in this cave is familiar, the little lantern plants they had seen Kurama grow numerous times. He starts following the river to the back and the others follow.
"Hiei listen close because I need you, and your photographic memory to retain this for as long as you are able." Hiei blinks a few time, unaccustomed to Kurama's strange behavior. The Fox has never looked upon his memory, even if it is perfect, because Kurama can always remember the details he wants to much better on his own. A strange request but one he will honor.
"Ok Fox."
***
Botan flies into the Ningenkai through Reikai, hovering over the temple only a moment before sweeping down to the quickly diminishing masses of demons that had poured in through the illegal portal. By the time she gets there, only carcasses remain. Yusuke and Kuwabara are bent over huffing and puffing as though they'd just gone for a run.
Funny really.
"Guys! Hiei and Kurama are in a tight spot battling Makatashi! That creep opened up a portal and took everyone to a remote stretch of Makai... hop on and I'll take you there but hurry! I had to leave Keiko, Shizuru, Yukina, and Kurama's family alone to come get you!" Yusuke's face screws up in anger as he drags Kuwabara onto the oar.
"Botan! How could you leave a bunch of humans alone in Makai!? They could be eaten!"
Botan takes off in a hurry riding through spirit world to get clearance to travel through that as of yet unregistered part of Makai. "Not now Yusuke we have more important things to worry about! Like how the hell you are going to defeat creepo number one!"
Yusuke snorts as the clearance goes through. "Easy, I'll tear him limb from limb then shot gun what's left! Can't regenerate if he's dust now can he!?"
Botan sighs as she flies through the newly created portal.
"Oh Yusuke."
***
"Good. I'll tell you why Makatashi seeks the extinction of kitsune. When the world was new Inari picked seven kitune from her glen to be the first to roam it. Gradually, she added all the other creatures and people. Of course the kitsune were always her favorite, and many creatures grew jealous of them. Bear with me, this is how the story was told to me, bias and all. Some creatures sought our beautiful pelts for themselves. These were dubbed hunters, and it wasn't long before they grew in strength and every kitsune lived in fear.
But Inari still favored her beautiful foxes and decided to aid them for they were her connection to this world. Should all the foxes die out it would take her millineas to reach the three worlds again, and by then it would be destroyed far beyond repair. She would have to start anew. Inari would not allow such a thing to happen. So she started from the beginning.
She called to to her seven foxes, the strongest she could find. Their loyalty to her was renown through every forest, they would be they ones entrusted with the task of destroying the hunters. She gave to them seven items to aid their unique abilities. To Aziro, master of Earth she gave the Gaian Bracelets; to Servont master of fire she gave the Heated Blade; to Meridith master of water she gave the Sacred Mirror; to Lorant master of light she gave a Nyoi; to Vermosa master of darkness she gave the protecting gem; to Ugtine master of minds she gave the Glass of Forethought; and to my own ancestor, Sakura master of plants she gave the Silver Rose Daggers."
As they are passing to the back of the cave they get the rare chance to see very beautiful species of plants growing all along the walls and ground, which move out from under their feet as they pass. Whether this was just a kindness of the plants or Kurama's doing is unknown to any but Kurama himself. But the cave looks almost homey... if you like plants.
"The Heated blade fox? I've sought it for years, I'm almost convinced it doesn't exist or it has been destroyed. I didn't know it was a weapon of kitsune origin." Hiei says, but there is a slight tinge of curiosity in his voice.
"Not destroyed Hiei, hidden. A good deal of treasures are of kitsune origin, we are after all, the oldest creatures. But by any means, they accepted Inari's mission. For weeks on end the hunter camps were ravaged in all corners of the three worlds. The remaining hunters banded together to try and fend off the seven. It came down to one huge battle in the area known today as the Wasteland of Memories. The power from that fight still lingers there and the result is that highly untamed land. It was a ferocious fight, but the seven emerged victorious, if not exhausted, and returned to their lives, content that they had succeeded in Inari's mission.
Unfortunately that was not the case. A young boy was in the midst of the blood and chaos of that fight. His parents were kitsune hunters and they had of course been killed with the others. He became deranged from what he had seen that day and absorbed into his body a great deal of the power from that fight. He is the only one known to have ever survived actually living in the Wasteland of Memories. Some have ventured in for a few days of mind blowing training, Yomi being one. But he is the only one that actually lived there. On the day he reached adulthood he claimed the title Makatashi: Kitsune Hunter, and sought revenge on the seven that had taken all happiness from him."
There is a rather sharp intake of breath at that. "You mean that poor little boy and that monster are the same person!?" Shiori is near tears he knows.
"Yes Mother, keep in mind that monsters are created not born. While some can be redeemed, others don't want to be. In the time it took Makatashi to climb the ranks of power. The seven had been living their normal lives, having children and taking mates. At that time there were seven families considered messengers of Inari, and they were large families. The seven had more than one hundred fifty children among them. Those children in turn had children. They were old and revered. Makatashi took advantage of the years spent in peace to attack Vemosa. She was not prepared, had she been it might have gone differently, but he succeeded in killing her and taking the protecting gem. After that he disappeared back to the wasteland for a time and reemerged invincible. With the protecting gem at his ear no amount of damage could kill him. It was Sakura in her last breath that recognized it and passed the information along the plants to her children before she died. One by one the seven fell, but at this point, Makatashi was no longer content with simply killing them. He had seen how happy the seven were with their families and loved ones, it burned him to know that they had been so happy when he had not. So he vowed to wipe out all of their families as well, then go after Inari herself. He ultimately blamed her.
As each of the seven fell the children and grandchildren scattered to the winds. Hiding in arms of Inari's bounty, waiting, training for the day when he would find them. My family came here, one of the farthest reaches of Makai. This was once a thriving thick and luscious forest That Sakura's eldest daughter found a home in. She raised her children and grandchildren and great grand children, the story passed down again and again and again. With the story was also passed the Silver Rose Daggers, to the strongest of each generation. My mother was eventually born, and named after the original: Sakura. She was a... curious one. She didn't like staying in the confines of the forest. Though it was deemed unsafe to leave the haven that was made here.
A few years after she reached adulthood a visitor came. The last surviving descendant of Servont, with him, the Heated Blade. Unlike our family, Fionn had never had a sanctuary. He spent his whole life running from and fighting Makatashi. His days with my Mother in this cave were his most peaceful. But his blood boiled to take down Makatashi, and when he left, Mother went with him, taking the silver daggers that had been passed onto her. Many years they fought side by side, perfecting and creating fighting techniques and escape tactics. They crossed paths with him many times but so long as it was just the two of them they could always escape. It was during this time that Mother perfected the last dagger technique. Before she could use it, the guillotine fell.
She was pregnant.
The next few years were spent trying to make it back to the sanctuary and avoid Makatashi with kits in hand. There were three in the litter: Ryat, Rika, and Hani. It took them ten years but Mother found it worth it as she came into full view of the trees, and then her heart sank as she realized they were burning. Makatashi had found the hiding place. In the ensuing fight Fionn and Hani died. My Mother retreated to the cave with Ryat and Rika in her arms. There she bargained with Enma for protection. He agreed that the worlds could not thrive without Inari's presence and sealed them inside the cave with a barrier, keeping Makatashi and his men out. It wasn't long before my Mother discovered that she was pregnant once again. Once again the litter was three: Anji, Reamy, and... Yoko. We had peace for five years, even if I never knew my father or brother Hani. We were the only descendants of the original seven left. Until recently they were the only peaceful years of my life. But, you already know what happened after that."
As Kurama finishes up, no one speaks. They close in on the back of the cave, where the river leads out under solid stone. "This is where we part."
Hiei snaps his head around but Kurama beats him to the punch; before he could object. "I need you to lead my family out of the cave when the barrier breaks. Makatashi's main force is waiting there. I will finish him off here."
"Fox that isn't- "
"A good idea? I know that, but we need to get them to safety." Kurama sighs. "In exchange for keeping my family safe and remembering the legacy I'm going to give you this." He pulls the blade from the chest out from his waistband. "It was my brother Ryat's, my Father's, my Grandfather's, and so forth all the way back to Servont himself. It is nigh useless to me, and the katana is no longer big enough for you, so take care of it well Hiei. The Heated Blade is yours." Kurama sticks it out toward Hiei who stares at it in awe.
What could he say?
What else could he do?
The fox is willing to part with not only a treasure, but one he didn't steal. One with the greatest of sentimental value. A treasure of great power and legacy. He bows his head for only a second in what might be misconstrued in a nod of respect before taking it and carefully placing it in his own waistband.
Kurama hugs his family, Keiko, and Yukina; only a nod necessary for Shizuru.
He looks at Hiei again, something burning on his lips but he holds it in and smiles a radiant and true smile before stepping back toward the entrance, drawing a rose, not his own, but his sister Rika's from his hair.
The shield breaks.
The humans dive into the water.
Hiei dives into the water.
Kurama stands firm.
Makatashi enters.
_______________________________________________________________ _______________
A/N: This chapter took a long time to get all the back story straight. What you think of Makatashi now is up to you, but I hold firm on what Kurama said. Monsters are created, not born. That said, he's still a sadistic bastard. Anyway I just got back from vacation and thought to post this for you all, I really hope you liked it.
Yusuke and Kuwabara finally got the message and a ride to where the fight is. Will you see any action out of them? I don't know. Guess you'll just have to wait and see. *Insert evil maniacal laughter here*
While Makatashi struggles to overcome the barrier erected by the protecting gem and tear Kurama to shreds, Kurama spills his guts to keep him family's history alive and sends his new family off to safety... if they can get through Makatashi's men that is. Of course, going through Maktashi's men is much easier than going through Makatashi so I think they get the better end of the deal.
Hiei gets the Heated blade, not telling what it does yet, but you get to read it in action next chapter while Makatashi battles with Kurama. Sounds wicked right? The battle will be concluded.
I was wondering though, while writing this I got an idea for another sequel. If you all want me to write it please tell me. If not there are just a few chapters left of this one. If no response then this will probably be it.
Until next time!
Please review!!!
-san: Mr. or Mrs.
-sama: Lord
-kun: Young man that is a friend
-chan: Female, young boy, or lover
Baka: idiot
Chimera: Half animal, half human in appearance.
Geta: Wooden sandals
Haha: Mother
Hai: Yes
Hiruseki: tear gem
Inari: Fox goddess
Jagan: Hiei's 3rd eye
Ki: Energy signal, spirit energy
Kitsune: Fox spirit
Kleptomania: Compulsive need to steal
Makai: Demon world
Mazaku: Type of demon that Yusuke is
Ne: Right?
Ningen: Human
Ningenkai: Human world
Nyoi: Mythical staff that can change length and thickness
Oona: Woman
Reikai: Spirit world
Sakura Tree: cherry tree
Shinigami: Spirit of death, Grim reaper
Tantei: Detectives
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho nor any of its characters. They belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. The plot and original characters of this fic, are however, mine."
Passing On
Kurama pants wildly as the shield goes up. That hadn't gone as well as planned. He hadn't expected Makatashi would know how to move, let alone so well. But a thief's hands are swift, they still have the earring. Better yet, the earring is protecting them instead of regenerating Makatashi's limbs.
It would only quite naturally respond better to a kitsune's energy; it was after all made for the kitsune. Makatashi can get past the shield but it will take him a bit and will drain him of a great deal of power. This gives Kurama time to explain to his family and get them all out of harm's way. Not to plan, but better than he could have hoped for two weeks ago.
He feels Yukina's cold presence approach him and he waves her off. She wants to heal him but it is best that she save that precious energy for later.The others have been quite patient, giving him time to catch his breath; they need answers, a plan, reassurance. Thankfully, he can provide.
As always.
"You alright Fox?" Hiei's voice, as bored as ever. Of course he would be the first to speak up, he isn't one to back down from fear or uncertainty. Kurama smiles and gets to his feet. The time they have bought is precious and he can't afford to waste it.
"I'm fine Hiei, but I've only bought us a little bit of time. Just long enough for Makatashi to figure out what I did and break down the barrier." Kurama picks up the earring and shoves it into his pocket. "So long as it is on me it won't respond to his energy, but I am unaware of how to use it myself. We need to follow the river to the back of the cave." He gestures to a small river not far away. The lighting in this cave is familiar, the little lantern plants they had seen Kurama grow numerous times. He starts following the river to the back and the others follow.
"Hiei listen close because I need you, and your photographic memory to retain this for as long as you are able." Hiei blinks a few time, unaccustomed to Kurama's strange behavior. The Fox has never looked upon his memory, even if it is perfect, because Kurama can always remember the details he wants to much better on his own. A strange request but one he will honor.
"Ok Fox."
***
Botan flies into the Ningenkai through Reikai, hovering over the temple only a moment before sweeping down to the quickly diminishing masses of demons that had poured in through the illegal portal. By the time she gets there, only carcasses remain. Yusuke and Kuwabara are bent over huffing and puffing as though they'd just gone for a run.
Funny really.
"Guys! Hiei and Kurama are in a tight spot battling Makatashi! That creep opened up a portal and took everyone to a remote stretch of Makai... hop on and I'll take you there but hurry! I had to leave Keiko, Shizuru, Yukina, and Kurama's family alone to come get you!" Yusuke's face screws up in anger as he drags Kuwabara onto the oar.
"Botan! How could you leave a bunch of humans alone in Makai!? They could be eaten!"
Botan takes off in a hurry riding through spirit world to get clearance to travel through that as of yet unregistered part of Makai. "Not now Yusuke we have more important things to worry about! Like how the hell you are going to defeat creepo number one!"
Yusuke snorts as the clearance goes through. "Easy, I'll tear him limb from limb then shot gun what's left! Can't regenerate if he's dust now can he!?"
Botan sighs as she flies through the newly created portal.
"Oh Yusuke."
***
"Good. I'll tell you why Makatashi seeks the extinction of kitsune. When the world was new Inari picked seven kitune from her glen to be the first to roam it. Gradually, she added all the other creatures and people. Of course the kitsune were always her favorite, and many creatures grew jealous of them. Bear with me, this is how the story was told to me, bias and all. Some creatures sought our beautiful pelts for themselves. These were dubbed hunters, and it wasn't long before they grew in strength and every kitsune lived in fear.
But Inari still favored her beautiful foxes and decided to aid them for they were her connection to this world. Should all the foxes die out it would take her millineas to reach the three worlds again, and by then it would be destroyed far beyond repair. She would have to start anew. Inari would not allow such a thing to happen. So she started from the beginning.
She called to to her seven foxes, the strongest she could find. Their loyalty to her was renown through every forest, they would be they ones entrusted with the task of destroying the hunters. She gave to them seven items to aid their unique abilities. To Aziro, master of Earth she gave the Gaian Bracelets; to Servont master of fire she gave the Heated Blade; to Meridith master of water she gave the Sacred Mirror; to Lorant master of light she gave a Nyoi; to Vermosa master of darkness she gave the protecting gem; to Ugtine master of minds she gave the Glass of Forethought; and to my own ancestor, Sakura master of plants she gave the Silver Rose Daggers."
As they are passing to the back of the cave they get the rare chance to see very beautiful species of plants growing all along the walls and ground, which move out from under their feet as they pass. Whether this was just a kindness of the plants or Kurama's doing is unknown to any but Kurama himself. But the cave looks almost homey... if you like plants.
"The Heated blade fox? I've sought it for years, I'm almost convinced it doesn't exist or it has been destroyed. I didn't know it was a weapon of kitsune origin." Hiei says, but there is a slight tinge of curiosity in his voice.
"Not destroyed Hiei, hidden. A good deal of treasures are of kitsune origin, we are after all, the oldest creatures. But by any means, they accepted Inari's mission. For weeks on end the hunter camps were ravaged in all corners of the three worlds. The remaining hunters banded together to try and fend off the seven. It came down to one huge battle in the area known today as the Wasteland of Memories. The power from that fight still lingers there and the result is that highly untamed land. It was a ferocious fight, but the seven emerged victorious, if not exhausted, and returned to their lives, content that they had succeeded in Inari's mission.
Unfortunately that was not the case. A young boy was in the midst of the blood and chaos of that fight. His parents were kitsune hunters and they had of course been killed with the others. He became deranged from what he had seen that day and absorbed into his body a great deal of the power from that fight. He is the only one known to have ever survived actually living in the Wasteland of Memories. Some have ventured in for a few days of mind blowing training, Yomi being one. But he is the only one that actually lived there. On the day he reached adulthood he claimed the title Makatashi: Kitsune Hunter, and sought revenge on the seven that had taken all happiness from him."
There is a rather sharp intake of breath at that. "You mean that poor little boy and that monster are the same person!?" Shiori is near tears he knows.
"Yes Mother, keep in mind that monsters are created not born. While some can be redeemed, others don't want to be. In the time it took Makatashi to climb the ranks of power. The seven had been living their normal lives, having children and taking mates. At that time there were seven families considered messengers of Inari, and they were large families. The seven had more than one hundred fifty children among them. Those children in turn had children. They were old and revered. Makatashi took advantage of the years spent in peace to attack Vemosa. She was not prepared, had she been it might have gone differently, but he succeeded in killing her and taking the protecting gem. After that he disappeared back to the wasteland for a time and reemerged invincible. With the protecting gem at his ear no amount of damage could kill him. It was Sakura in her last breath that recognized it and passed the information along the plants to her children before she died. One by one the seven fell, but at this point, Makatashi was no longer content with simply killing them. He had seen how happy the seven were with their families and loved ones, it burned him to know that they had been so happy when he had not. So he vowed to wipe out all of their families as well, then go after Inari herself. He ultimately blamed her.
As each of the seven fell the children and grandchildren scattered to the winds. Hiding in arms of Inari's bounty, waiting, training for the day when he would find them. My family came here, one of the farthest reaches of Makai. This was once a thriving thick and luscious forest That Sakura's eldest daughter found a home in. She raised her children and grandchildren and great grand children, the story passed down again and again and again. With the story was also passed the Silver Rose Daggers, to the strongest of each generation. My mother was eventually born, and named after the original: Sakura. She was a... curious one. She didn't like staying in the confines of the forest. Though it was deemed unsafe to leave the haven that was made here.
A few years after she reached adulthood a visitor came. The last surviving descendant of Servont, with him, the Heated Blade. Unlike our family, Fionn had never had a sanctuary. He spent his whole life running from and fighting Makatashi. His days with my Mother in this cave were his most peaceful. But his blood boiled to take down Makatashi, and when he left, Mother went with him, taking the silver daggers that had been passed onto her. Many years they fought side by side, perfecting and creating fighting techniques and escape tactics. They crossed paths with him many times but so long as it was just the two of them they could always escape. It was during this time that Mother perfected the last dagger technique. Before she could use it, the guillotine fell.
She was pregnant.
The next few years were spent trying to make it back to the sanctuary and avoid Makatashi with kits in hand. There were three in the litter: Ryat, Rika, and Hani. It took them ten years but Mother found it worth it as she came into full view of the trees, and then her heart sank as she realized they were burning. Makatashi had found the hiding place. In the ensuing fight Fionn and Hani died. My Mother retreated to the cave with Ryat and Rika in her arms. There she bargained with Enma for protection. He agreed that the worlds could not thrive without Inari's presence and sealed them inside the cave with a barrier, keeping Makatashi and his men out. It wasn't long before my Mother discovered that she was pregnant once again. Once again the litter was three: Anji, Reamy, and... Yoko. We had peace for five years, even if I never knew my father or brother Hani. We were the only descendants of the original seven left. Until recently they were the only peaceful years of my life. But, you already know what happened after that."
As Kurama finishes up, no one speaks. They close in on the back of the cave, where the river leads out under solid stone. "This is where we part."
Hiei snaps his head around but Kurama beats him to the punch; before he could object. "I need you to lead my family out of the cave when the barrier breaks. Makatashi's main force is waiting there. I will finish him off here."
"Fox that isn't- "
"A good idea? I know that, but we need to get them to safety." Kurama sighs. "In exchange for keeping my family safe and remembering the legacy I'm going to give you this." He pulls the blade from the chest out from his waistband. "It was my brother Ryat's, my Father's, my Grandfather's, and so forth all the way back to Servont himself. It is nigh useless to me, and the katana is no longer big enough for you, so take care of it well Hiei. The Heated Blade is yours." Kurama sticks it out toward Hiei who stares at it in awe.
What could he say?
What else could he do?
The fox is willing to part with not only a treasure, but one he didn't steal. One with the greatest of sentimental value. A treasure of great power and legacy. He bows his head for only a second in what might be misconstrued in a nod of respect before taking it and carefully placing it in his own waistband.
Kurama hugs his family, Keiko, and Yukina; only a nod necessary for Shizuru.
He looks at Hiei again, something burning on his lips but he holds it in and smiles a radiant and true smile before stepping back toward the entrance, drawing a rose, not his own, but his sister Rika's from his hair.
The shield breaks.
The humans dive into the water.
Hiei dives into the water.
Kurama stands firm.
Makatashi enters.
_______________________________________________________________ _______________
A/N: This chapter took a long time to get all the back story straight. What you think of Makatashi now is up to you, but I hold firm on what Kurama said. Monsters are created, not born. That said, he's still a sadistic bastard. Anyway I just got back from vacation and thought to post this for you all, I really hope you liked it.
Yusuke and Kuwabara finally got the message and a ride to where the fight is. Will you see any action out of them? I don't know. Guess you'll just have to wait and see. *Insert evil maniacal laughter here*
While Makatashi struggles to overcome the barrier erected by the protecting gem and tear Kurama to shreds, Kurama spills his guts to keep him family's history alive and sends his new family off to safety... if they can get through Makatashi's men that is. Of course, going through Maktashi's men is much easier than going through Makatashi so I think they get the better end of the deal.
Hiei gets the Heated blade, not telling what it does yet, but you get to read it in action next chapter while Makatashi battles with Kurama. Sounds wicked right? The battle will be concluded.
I was wondering though, while writing this I got an idea for another sequel. If you all want me to write it please tell me. If not there are just a few chapters left of this one. If no response then this will probably be it.
Until next time!
Please review!!!
-san: Mr. or Mrs.
-sama: Lord
-kun: Young man that is a friend
-chan: Female, young boy, or lover
Baka: idiot
Chimera: Half animal, half human in appearance.
Geta: Wooden sandals
Haha: Mother
Hai: Yes
Hiruseki: tear gem
Inari: Fox goddess
Jagan: Hiei's 3rd eye
Ki: Energy signal, spirit energy
Kitsune: Fox spirit
Kleptomania: Compulsive need to steal
Makai: Demon world
Mazaku: Type of demon that Yusuke is
Ne: Right?
Ningen: Human
Ningenkai: Human world
Nyoi: Mythical staff that can change length and thickness
Oona: Woman
Reikai: Spirit world
Sakura Tree: cherry tree
Shinigami: Spirit of death, Grim reaper
Tantei: Detectives
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho nor any of its characters. They belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. The plot and original characters of this fic, are however, mine."