Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Strange and Unexpected Beginnings ❯ War ( Chapter 10 )

Ah, finally got Chapter 10! Hehe…sorry about the delay...got banned from the computer for two weeks…it was torture…even though I got a few minutes at play practices to use a comp… It's ok now though…got my computer back. How I love her! *smooches comp* I still can't stay up though…*sniff* Life's a bitch…but anyway, enough of the moaning. I now present to you all Ch. 10! Feast your fanfic-lovin' eyes!

 

P.S: Danie-san, Natsumi was supposed to be around 12 in at the end of Chapter 9. Sorry for any confusion!! ^.^

 

“Random” dialogue

` Random' thoughts Random emphasis

() () (): Denotes scene and/or time change

Vocabulary Corner: (Pay attention, children!)

Kitsune: Fox

Youkai: Just demon pretty much in this case

Sweatdrop: (Yes, there are some readers that are unfamiliar with this!) A large tear-shaped drop that appears on the back of characters heads; denotes embarrassment.

Suffix “Chan”: Used at the end of one's name; a term of affection for girls or crushes

Suffix “ Kun”: Same as Chan except for Males

 

 

Previously:

 

“What took you so long? What happened? “Where's everyone else…?”

 

She was silenced by the blank look she received.

 

“ There were…hunters.” He started in a monotone. “Everyone was killed.” He walked over to the kit and embraced her, ignoring his wound.

 

“What about that annoying bat…?” It unnerved Natsumi to see him acting this way.

 

He nuzzled her, not bothering to lift his head.

 

“He's gone. He won't be coming back”

 

Ch. 10: War

 

Natsumi stayed where she was, unsure of what to do. It was an unexpected and saddening event, and she would never have wished it on Kuronue. She'd never actually hated him; just liked to piss him off to the fullest extent. It had been an amusing way to pass those long, boring hours.

“…He's dead.” His voice was as blank as his facial expression.

“Come,” He beckoned to her from the boulder he was sitting on. Natsumi obeyed, cautiously approaching him. In an uncharacteristic action even to her, he took her in his arms, resting his chin on her head. They remained in that position for several, minutes, neither saying anything. It seemed a long, particularly tense period of time, until Youko finally broke the silence again.

“I suppose we should head back…” Again, his voice was devoid of any real feeling.

“I should inform them…” This time, he choked ever so slightly, and Natsumi noticed. He found the strength to pick himself up, Natsumi latched onto his left arm. Not knowing what else to do, she leaned her head against him. Youko permitted himself a weak smile at this, and rubbed her ears with the same kind of affection. They resumed their walk back to the camp, although they took their time.

 

* * *

It was a blustery afternoon, although the generally warm climate compensated for this. Roaming around between places for the last several years had led the group to this warm region, where'd they had been able to hang around in moderate comfort. The warmth helped one survive the chilly winds, since there wasn't too much sunlight to be had. No matter the weather, there would be a raid, with the possible exception of extreme cases, which rarely occurred. Just now they were getting ready for another assault, particularly one mid-teenaged looking kit. The kit, now looking like a typical 15-year-old, stood among the sturdy branches of a tree, overseeing preparations.

“Hurry up, hurry up, move your asses! We don't have all damn day!” Her tail swung in anticipation.

The bandits grumbled, agitated by being bossed around by this pint-sized loudmouth. For whatever reason, she was always Youko's favorite, and it pissed them off a little bit. It was embarrassing, being led by a small fry decades younger than themselves. She was completely spoiled.

“Aw. Shaddup!” Someone spoke up.

“We're ready when we're ready!” No one made any effort to hurry.

“ Goddamnit…” Natsumi cursed. Lazy old coots…she leaned back against the trunk, her locks draping over her face.

“Almost as treasure-starved as I am,” An amused voice addressed her.

“Feh. Almost my ass.” She leaped from the tree and summoned her sword, lashing out at her target. Youko was quick however, and already had his own his own Rose Whip out. The weapons were locked in a stalemate.

“I do hope you weren't trying to catch me off guard,” He smirked. They broke apart, only to have their instruments meet again.

“Of course not.” Natsumi flipped over Youko, kicking him in the process. An attack that merely skimmed his skin, because he'd leapt to the right. He swung the whip, and she dodged, thorns making a small, but nevertheless nasty mark on her left arm. She hissed slightly at this, and grabbed the end of it, trying to land a kick on his gut this time. Again, she merely brushed him.

“Heh, not bad. But you still have a long way to go…” His whip caught her around the wrist, and he pulled her harshly back toward him. A flying kit. He released her, and the disgruntled Natsumi slid across the ground.

“Hunh. I was holding back.” She lifted herself up, brushing the excess dirt off.

“Whatever you say,” The kit's denial was entertaining to him. Such a hard-headed child.

Kitanaru approached them.

“Uh… are we going, or are you two just gonna go at it the whole damn day?”

Both withdrew sword and whip.

“ Comiiiiing.”

* * *

“ What do you see?”

“Mmm….it's vague, but I can see a group just to the North of us, but I'm not sure how far.”

“No worries there.”

Natsumi's abilities had apparently extended a bit farther than imagined, and it probably was a part of something bigger, though what that bigger something was no one knew yet. Sure she could sense things, but she had another, far less common ability. When she closed her eyes and concentrated, she would see things in the present, like the group of demons she was currently surveying. Unfortunately, the ability was limited, and so her `visions' weren't too detailed, nor could she see things that were too far away. But it could be useful.

“Their clothes look too nice, and their weapons don't seem that cheap…they might be worth something.”

“Well, I'd be neglecting my duties if I let anything of value slip past my sights. “ Youko licked his fangs.

“ Feh. This is ridiculous. Why the hell are we relying on some whelp's `vision?' For all we know, it could be totally wrong and a waste of our time.” Some demon grumbled.

Natsumi shot him a dirty look.

“ If you don't like it, get lost.”

“ Why you- -!”

“ Enough. I haven't seen you come up with any better ideas, my ignorant friend. What use do I have for you? ”

The demon was silent after that.

They were on the hunt within the space of a few short moments, eager to catch up to their quarry. It was easy; the forests all seemed to be pretty much the same these days. Natsumi was among those in the lead. Her swordsmanship and speed had improved noticeably, although far from perfect. She was at least skilled enough to survive a match against Youko. Within half an hour, their victims were within eyesight. There were two of them. The first resembled a wolverine, his fur a deep shade of blue. One of his eyes matched his fur while the other was a dim gold color. Two small fangs protruded form his mouth. His outfit consisted of a green-tinted silk shirt with white pants, supported by an onyx belt. His boots were a moderate shade of brown. The second of the two looked like some type of wildcat, whose fur was a deep tan. On each side of his face were two short, thick whiskers. His malicious, calculating eyes were copper. Fangs even longer than those of the wolverines hung barely above his chin. He wore a dark-green outfit, which bore more than a little similarity to a kimono, except that it was lacking sleeves. Both, as so many other foolish demons before, were absorbed in conversation, and never acknowledged their stalkers. Both carried small sacks.

“ Heh. That's ironic. Thieving from thieves,” Kitanaru grinned.

“ Do we really need this many people for two damn schmucks?” A new voice growled.

Kitanaru turned to look at the other bandit.

“ Ah, Masami-chan. You decided to get off your ass for once.”

Masami scowled at him.

“ Bite me, windbag. I do more crap around here than you'll do in your lifetime.”

She was clad in a tight black suit, that somewhat accented her curves, but not to an extreme degree (How unfortunate for any interested demons).

“ Mmm…your anger kinda turns me on.”

“….Shut up.” They both went their separate ways among the group.

“ I propose a contest,” Youko started. “ First one to kill them keeps the spoils.”

There were eager murmurs at this suggestion, and the group stood at attention.

“Ready…” The demons began to push against each other, fighting to get to the front.

“ Steady…” They pushed harder. Natsumi shoved her way through.

“Go!”

There was much hitting and quarreling among the potential claimants of the bounty. Natsumi made use of the demons as stepping stones, to their anger and annoyance. No one who tried managed to catch her though. She drew two swords, and led the way to battle.

“Hah…”

“What the hell's that?”

The wolverine wasn't able to turn in time, and this mistake cost him his head. Enraged, his partner leaped into the fight. Natsumi applied a brutal kick to the gut, then seized one of his legs and swung him into the thick trunk of the nearest tree. Upon contact, there was a horrible crackling sound, most likely his skull. And yet still, he rose, although slightly disoriented.

“Damn you! Bastards! Miserable thieves!”

Natsumi grinned. “ You're a dumbass. You should probably run while you still have time. “

The other groaned.

“ What the hell?! He wasn't smart enough to flee before so he deserves to die!”

“Yeah!”

The feline shot Natsumi a contemptuous look.

“You miserable…” Before he could finish that though, someone thought end his life open with a series of large daggers; one in his head, one in his chest, and the others in his legs. There were cheers among the thieves. Shrugging, Natsumi tossed his corpse into the woods, only interested in her reward. In the sacks were hand-sized gems, and pearls the deepest tone of black. There were also fine silks of blue and gray, and the standard gold and silver pieces. Natsumi pondered how to get her treasure out of there, paying no mind to the glares she was receiving behind her back. Natsumi finally decided to just take one of the sacks with her. Less junk to carry back.

“ I got my share.” She grinned at the group. As soon as the remainder of the goods had been apportioned, (on a first-come, first serve basis, which for awhile resulted in some violence among the bandits, until Youko threatened to do away with the troublemakers) they headed back in the opposite direction.

“Geez…animals.”

* * *

The whole camp was in high spirits by nightfall. None of them were too modest about drunkenness and public fornication. Natsumi still didn't understand the fun in it, nor would she for a long long time if Youko had anything to say about it. She'd been “schooled” in such matters though.

“ * yawn * Every night, same damn thing. These old bums are so boooring.”

She passed by the others, ignoring the demons either looking for pleasure or already being serviced. Even Kitanaru seemed to be distracted by some aqua-haired woman. Curious, she stopped to observe for a little while until an annoyed Kitanaru shooed her away. Nothing else happened for a while, so she just roamed around the bonfire, swiping whatever food captured her attention. It was then that she saw the large group of women further into the woods, to her an irritating mass of giggles. A blonde, a red-head with white streaks, a raven-haired one, a pink haired one, and a dark blue haired woman, all with revealing garments that matched their hair color. All of their outfits were two pieces, and all of them revealed both stomach and cleavage, which didn't come as any kind of shock to Natsumi. Finishing off the remainder of the food, she approached them for a closer examination. They were all chattering and “fixing themselves up,” although whatever their objective was didn't seem to be there. Their acknowledgement of Natsumi's presence was a series of annoyed glares.

“ What the hell do you want runt?”

“ Yeah, beat it. We're working here. Go eat dirt or something.”

“ Hey, isn't that that little witch I've heard all the stories about?”

“ They say hardly any women will come here anymore because of her.”

The demoness with the blue hair was skeptical.

“ No way, this skinny little nothing?! She's just a baby, for God sake! What are they afraid of?”

There were murmurs among the five.

“ Feh. Whatever I am, it's better than being some worthless, brainless whore.”

The pink-haired one shot her a nasty look.

“ I think you'd better watch what you say to your elders.”

“Your betters.”

“ Howdare that whelp talk to us like that? I have half a mind to put her in her place.”

“Buzz off!” Many jeers from the women ensued, throwing insults to the mere “child” that stood defiantly parallel to them. The blonde approached Natsumi. She was followed closely by the red-head. The blonde's mean blue eyes focused upon the kit, a look of both amusement and disgust hardly concealed. Upon her right eye was a long, thin gash which ended just above her nose. It wasn't the first time she'd encountered Natsumi.

 

“ Why the hell does a kid care so much about such matters, I wonder?” She smirked.

“ You wouldn't meddle so much if you didn't want him, your damn self. How cute.” Her voice had a sharper, nastier tone to it. The others snickered. Akina detested the little bitch since the day she'd jumped her, all those years ago.

Natsumi shot her a cold look.

“Feh, why would I waste my time just to beg him to take my sorry ass, like other wenches I know? I've got better ways to spend my time.”

Akina scowled back. She really wanted to simply choke the wretch and be done with it. She maintained her composure however, and moved closer, so that she could catch Natsumi's chin in her hands. She tightened her grip as much as possible.

“ Poor dumb kit. I forgive you...” Natsumi smacked her hand away with as much force as possible. The twit was really kinda pissing her off now. But it wasn't worth her time. She turned away from them, meaning to get the hell out of here.

“ Whatever. Have fun parading your ugly tits.”

“ Yeah, that's right. Do us all a favor and go back to whatever whore of a mother it was that was unfortunate enough to be knocked up with you.

“ Freak.”

Natsumi froze, a manic glint in her eye.

Things had already started to settle down back at the main camp, and so the inhabitants were able to hear several loud voices some distance away. It was far more like shrieking. Many of them walked back to investigate the matter, and were treated to quite an unusual sight. Natsumi was punching and clawing at Akina, and anyone of the others who attempted to pry her off.

“ Fucking witch!” A kick to the ribs.

“ You annoying bitch! Get the hell off!” All of the others had some bruises or cuts as a consequence of both participating in the mockery of Natsumi, and later trying to jump her. One made the mistake of seizing Natsumi around the waist. It was the ebony-haired woman.

“ Go back to hell, you miserable little shit!” Natsumi's fist connected with her mouth as she used the other hand to hold Akina around the throat. She could see a few teeth and some blood through the corner of her eye.

“Aaaarrrrgh!”

The red head tried to wrap her shawl around Natsumi's throat, only to be kneed in the stomach, down for the count.

None of the men made any effort to interfere. The situation was too amusing.

“ This is the funniest damn thing I've ever seen!”

“ Hahahahahaha! Look at her go! Waste `em!”

“ Good God, she's more violent than I thought!”

“ This is a bad thing? We're vicious demons, what the hell do ya expect?”

“ I bet 500 gold pieces on the kit.”

The fighters paid no mind to the conversations; there were far more pressing matters to attend to at this time. Dignity and humiliation, for instance. The demonesses, wearing out by now, were still not prepared to surrender to the dominion of the rabid kitsune. They leaped, intending to dog pile Natsumi, and hopefully cripple her, getting rid of the problem once and for all. There was a pile all right. One agonized group of women lying near or right over each other, after being dealt several rapid “knuckle sandwiches, bites, scratches, and other wounds from the seemingly unstoppable Natsumi. The war still raged on between said kit and Akina however. In the meantime, the demons catcalled and jeered, the majority of the camp still sober enough having become spectators in this event.

“ What the hell is this? Why's everyone hanging around here?” Kitanaru demanded, before he got a glimpse of the vicious spectacle before his eyes.

“ ….what in God's name…?”

“ Hehe. No idea myself old buddy, they were at it when I showed up.”

“ It's all good, though.”

“ Bloody hell, she just goes on and on and on!”

Kitanaru's attention returned to the present scene just in time to see Natsumi's fist find a place on Akina's eye. She then took advantage of the pause to headbutt the demoness. Pouncing at the opportunity the dazed Akina provided, Natsumi wrapped her hands around her throat, preparing for the victorious finale to this show. Before she could successfully choke her however, a pair of arms seized her around the waist and roughly lifted her up. Kitanaru's grip merely tightened as Natsumi fought him.

“ Alright already! You're gonna kill her!”

“ That was the fuckin' point!” Natsumi roared, feeling more belligerent than ever now that she was stopped when she was so close to winning.

“ C'mon!” Kitanaru could only hold her for so long. The kit was surprisingly strong, especially for a female.

“ Take a good look at her. Don't ya think you've done enough to her? I mean, she ain't getting' nobody looking like that.” He gestured to Akina's two black eyes, shattered nose, and many, many lacerations. Her breathing was shallow, somewhere in there Natsumi might have broken a rib or two. Predictably, she could barely even move now. Natsumi elbowed him, not holding back, which freed her from her imprisonment. Kitanaru knelt on the ground, taking deep gasps of air.

“Damn it!”

“ What's going on here?”

Youko entered the clearing opposite to where the spectators stood. He approached the still fuming Natsumi and the wincing Akina, who had only just seconds before found the strength to sit up. Natsumi had begun to kick at Akina, who could only feebly scratch at her in return now, but with the same fierce hatred. He grabbed her wrist, not painfully hard, but enough to yank her away a little.

“ Cool it. I think you've given her enough to think about.”

Natsumi turned, and without so much as a second glance, punched him dead in the face.

 

* * *

“ Ow! Damn it, is it broken?” Youko swore as he held a large bunch of cloth to his nose.

“ Hahahhahah! She got you dead on! Pow! Right in your pretty face!” Kitanaru laughed hysterically at his partner's misfortune.

They'd retired back to Youko's tent after the incident to “repair the damages.” Of course, the wounded demonesses had left as soon as possible, with a bitter Akina vowing revenge. Natsumi approached them with some more cloth, holding some more up to the older, now soaked ones.

“ Ehehehe…sorry about that. I totally didn't see you. I thought you were another one of those fuckin' tramps.” Her expression turned dark for a split second, before falling back into a weak smile. The other two noticed it.

“ Which reminds me, “ Youko began, addressing Natsumi now. He leaned back and allowed her to hold up the cloth for awhile. “ Why were trying to murder my entertainment?”

Natsumi snorted. “ You call those idiot bimbos entertainments? Please. If you wanted something to do, ya should have just come to me. “

Youko and Kitanaru shared the smallest of smirks.

“ After all this time, you still don't understand, do ya?”

Natsumi growled. “ Of course I do, and I think I could do a better job.” She checked Youko's nose again. It was still bleeding, but not nearly as much.

Kitanaru snickered. “ What exactly do you think you can do better?”

“ Never mind that now,” Youko interrupted. “ I'd still like to know how these events came to be.” He looked at Natsumi expectantly, like a parent busting their mischievous child who was up to no good..

Natsumi shifted slightly where she sat on the bed. She was un-repentant.

“ They had it coming. You can't possibly expect a member of your band to take insults from the likes of them, can you? I'd gladly do it again.” She spat these words with an extreme vehemence.

Youko sighed in exasperation. “ Kit, do you realize, you're the reason I'm lonely at night now. Are you trying to make my life a living hell?

“ Boo-hoo, good riddance. You had me to share your bed. What the hell's the big deal about losing `them?'”

“ Again, young one, you're too naive.”

“ More like dumb- Ow! Hey!” Natsumi slapped Kitanaru without a hint of compassion.

“I don't like being told off like some child, it really irks me. Especially standing there and getting dissed by 'them.'”

“ I can understand that, but you still went too far. At least try to get a hold of your…tendencies now and then, will you? I'm tired of chasing after a woman because she's scared of you.” He looked at Natsumi pointedly.

“Well you don't have too. There's one right here,” Natsumi grinned.

“ A grown woman, if you please.” Natsumi scowled at him.

“ I am grown.” She removed her arm from the wound again. It was no longer bleeding, but a moderately large black mark remained just off center to the left on Youko's nose. He lightly ran a finger over it.

“ Ow! God damn it!”

“ Might wanna put something on that, lest you be laughed out of camp.”

“ Thanks a lot. That idea never would have occurred to me. I'll put some ointment on it later.”

“ Too bad. Guess now you really won't get any action, what with that boulder on your face.”

“ Get out.”

Kitanaru obliged, still having a hearty laugh at Youko's expense. Natsumi moved to sit right next to Youko. There was a very pregnant, awkward silence between the two.

“ Feh. I'm fine now. It's not as if I've been mortally wounded or something of the sort. Besides, I'm hungry as well.” He smirked as he followed Natsumi's lustful gaze toward a bowl of fruit on a nearby table.

“ Help yourself.” Those were the only magic words she needed; in a matter of seconds she was devouring an apple.

“ You seem to weaken me for some reason, but I think you know that. Brat.” He shoved her head sideways. She latched onto his arm.

“ Hehehe….but you love me. More than `them' right? Right?” Her grip tightened.

“ Urm… yeah, sure. Whatever you say.”

Natsumi held onto him tighter than ever, a wide smile on her lips. It made her look as adorably childish as ever. She lifted Youko from the bed with relative ease.

“ Let's move our asses. I'm starving!”

 

 

Okay, so I lied, the story doesn't freakin' end at Chapter 10, as you can tell. I just keep coming up with more and more crap, and so it goes on and on and on….*sweatdrop* But I can at least promise you that there WILL be an ending, I swear. I want to thank every single person who's reviewed the story so far, and even those of you out there who aren't reviewing. Hope you're reading anyway. Please, don't stop the reviews! I really really enjoy/look forward to them! I will work my ass off to get the rest of this story up, even in my upcoming battle against ACTs/ finals *shudders* Anyway, see ya!

P.S. again: My school totally sucks! ^______^