Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Fox Princess ❯ Night of Reckoning ( Chapter 4 )

She sat in a tree as she looked at the castle. It was the day of the blue moon. ::: Soon princess. You will understand what I meant. And you will take it the hard way. :::

“Aura!”

Aura looked down at the petite icy blue haired girl. “What is it Isis?”

“Well, Orchid and I were wondering about the princess.”

Aura chuckled as she jumped down from the tree. “We spoke about her Isis. If she does manage to win, then the rumors about her were incredibly wrong. If she loses, then we will carry out plan B.” She answered. “I hope everything works out for her.”

“If not Isis, that’s when we come in.”

Elsewhere, Esmé walked inside the castle from training. She was exhausted from her training. If she wanted to win tonight, she’d have to be at full strength. Quickly, she entered her room and showered. ::: I can’t be tired, I can’t be at half strength. I have to win tonight. I’ll prove to demons that doubted me that I am strong enough to rule. I hope Kurama wins his match between the males tonight. It’s been almost a month and he hasn’t spoken to me or made advances on me. I wonder what’s wrong with him. :::

Esmé turned off the water and proceeded to her room. Before getting dressed, she went over to the chest that was in the corner of her room. She ran her hand over it and unlocked it. Inside there were jewels that belonged to her mother and pictures of her parents. She examined them one by one, tearing more and more as she came to the next one. “Momma, papa, why did you leave me? How can you leave alone in the world? I have no one now, all I have are these sheets of paper to comfort me when I’m depressed.” She cried. Esmé sat against the chest and began to cry. As she did, Kurama leaned against her room door, listening to her. He reached for the knob and turned it but stop. He dropped his head. “What can I possibly say...to take this melancholy from her? It’s my fault Esmé, it’s my entire fault. If I had come sooner, then Celia would still be alive. Esmé, when I find the courage to explain, I pray you’ll forgive me.” He whispered. Slowly, Kurama walked away from the door with Yurime watching from behind. “What am I going to do?” She asked herself. She peeked inside her room and checked on Junichi. Eiji was clothing him. That gave Yurime the chance to go down to the shrine and call forth the spirits of the dead. So, she went downstairs and did just that. She took dust from a red bowl and poured it into a circle, then a triangle. “Far away through time and space let my voice be heard by the ancient kings. I summon thy soul, come forth Celia and Shinosuke!”

The flames in the shrine circled the room and harsh winds blew. Yurime stood her ground until everything became still. Then, two spirits stood before her. They were the spirits of Celia and Shinosuke. “Dear brother and sister, it’s so good to see you again.” She greeted. Shinosuke took the hand of his queen and smiled to Yurime. “How are you Yurime? How’s my nephew, my student and mostly, how is my daughter Esmé?”

Yurime shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Shinosuke just smiled at her. “I haven’t seen you do that since you told father that you had lost your virginity to old nemesis Aiden of the Shadow Wolf clan. He was pretty upset. She’s isn’t well is she Yurime?” Shinosuke asked.

“No, I’m worried about her brother. She’s been isolating herself to harsh training. She’ll go out at the crack of dawn and won’t return until dusk. Why Shino? Why’d you change the law? Esmé is going to have a harder time-”

“That’s the point Yurime. I changed the law at the last second to help Esmé.”

Yurime shook her head. How was changing the law helping Esmé? She always understood her brother but this was an enigma. Why would he try to make things harder on Esmé? “Arguing about it won’t do you any good Yurime. I’ve made up my mind and that is final. I wish Esmé the best of luck. Celia and I will be watching. Adieu dear sister.” Shinosuke said as he vanished.

Hours later, the youkos began to prepare for the ordeal that night. Yurime and Eiji dressed in white robes, some dressed in combat clothes and other dressed in their robes. Esmé looked at her reflection as she pulled her gloves onto her hands. Her green hair was in a high ponytail, she wore an outfit that showed the front to be panties and the back to be a skirt with a top that went around her neck. “I will win tonight. I won’t let anything hold me back.” She whispered. Esmé stepped outside of her room and walked down the hall. Yurime was there waiting for her. She said nothing as they walked to the fighting grounds. There, the male youkos stood lined up. The females sat to the side with their children, all of them except Conya. She was sat far from them, with her arms crossed and her eyes on Kurama. ::: Hmph, if only the law permitted us to kill one another. I’d take that bitch out in a second. :::

Yurime stepped forth to the group of males. They all turned to her and bowed their heads, paying their king’s sister respect. “This match will decide our next king. The rules are simple. You will eliminate your opponent by first blood. The winner will be the one who is clean of blood. There are twelve males among you, only one of you will be triumphant. Best of luck to you all. Begin!”

The males began to fight the minute Yurime initiated the fight. Some fought in fur, some in skin. Within the first five minutes, four males had been eliminated. Esmé’s eyes never left Kurama. She watched him use his rose whip to remove his opponents. In the next ten minutes, Kurama had taken out four more males. ::: He’s pretty good. He learned well from my father but what more can you expect for king Shinosuke’s pupil? :::

Moments later, Eiji had called the end of the fight. As Esmé had hoped, Kurama emerged victorious. Conya walked to Kurama, whispered something in his ear and grinned. Kurama ignored her and walked towards Esmé, extending his hand. “Good luck out there.” He said. Esmé hesitated then took his hand. “I will win Kurama.”

“I know you will. Do your best.”

Esmé nodded then walked towards Yurime. “You battle is within the labyrinth. You will enter first Conya.” Yurime said. Conya smirked at Esmé then walked inside. They waited a few minutes, then Yurime permitted Esmé to enter. Yurime closed the entrance to the labyrinth. “We’ll watch from here.” She told the others. She summoned a white bubble that showed Esmé and Conya’s pinpoints. Unfortunately, neither of them were near each other. Conya seemed to be running while Esmé walked slowly. “What is she doing? She’ll get caught by Conya if she’s moving at such a slow pace.” Haku said. Juri told him to keep quiet. Everyone waited patiently for the two women to collide with each other. Then, Conya had collided with Esmé. “I found you bitch.”

“I’m glad, I can finally have to chance to tear you apart!”

Esmé darted at Conya and tackled her to the ground. The two women rolled around on the ground, punching and scratching at each other. Conya punched Esmé in her jaw then kicked her off. She quickly jumped to her feet and pulled Esmé up by her hair. She screamed as Conya pulled at her long green tresses. “Ahh get off me you bitch!”

“Come on princess! Is this all you got?”

Conya shoved Esmé’s face into the ground and stepped on the back of her head. As Conya did, Esmé wrapped her legs around Conya’s legs and pulled. As Conya fell, Esmé flipped up to her feet and kicked Conya hard in the face before she hit the ground. The youkos cheered at Esmé’s attack. Even Yurime jumped from her seat. “Go Esmé go!” She cheered. Conya wiped the blood from her bottom lip. “You’ll pay for that with your own blood bitch.”

“Heh, I think not. Come wit it bitch.”

Conya threw punch after punch at Esmé only to few them either blocked or avoided. She became frustrated while Esmé laughed and mocked her. “My turn.” Esmé teased. She grabbed Conya by the hair and kneed her in the face. Conya stumbled back up against a tree. Wasting now no time, Esmé jabbed at Conya’s stomach. “You are a disgusting bitch you know that?”

Esmé let Conya fall to the ground clutching her stomach. She walked towards her and was about to grab a handful of hair but Conya threw dirt in her face. Esmé screamed and stumbled back, trying to get the soil out of her eyes. Now was her chance. Conya quickly pulled a strand of hair from her head and it changed to a dagger. She charged at Esmé and plunged the blade into her back. Kurama stood up from his seat as he watched the foul sight. “Yurime! She’s going to kill her.”

“No.”

Yurime and Kurama turned to Eiji. He shook his head at the two youkos. “We can’t interfere. If we do-”

“Damnit! Esmé will die!”

Yurime turned back to the bubble. Conya had stabbed her two more times. She was standing over Esmé’s body, laughing maliciously. Esmé’s blood had colored her dagger and hands. “Hahaha, nobody wants a weak princess for a queen. Your time has ended Esmé.” Conya mocked. Kurama bolted towards the entrance to the labyrinth. “Open it Yurime. I won’t tell you twice. You either do it or I’ll slash my way inside.” Kurama threatened. Yurime turned to Eiji, who had a strict face on. “Sister...”

“I’m sorry.”

Yurime sent out a shockwave that parted a path into the labyrinth. Kurama quickly bolted inside, once he found Esmé and Conya, he pushed Conya to the ground and picked up his princess. “Esmé, are you all right? Answer me please.” He pleaded. Esmé coughed blood, a sign of an internal injury. “Well Kurama, you’re in time to save the princess. What I don’t understand is how you failed to save our Queen.” Conya teased.

Esmé looked up at Kurama with weary eyes. “What is...she talking about? My mother...”

“Perhaps it’s time you learn the truth princess. It’s your fault Celia was killed. You knew we were at war with the wolf clan. Instead, you stayed behind with mommy dearest while Kurama and Shinosuke fought them off. If you had been training, you wouldn’t have gotten kidnapped. But oh no! While Shinosuke and Kurama went to fight off the enemy, wolves came to the castle.” Conya said. Esmé shook her head. “Yes, I wasn’t skilled at the time. I tried the best I could but-”

“But what? You should have been training with your father. And because you of kidnapping, Celia went looking for you. Everyone knew Celia was very inexperienced when it came to fighting. Still, she went to the enemy’s base. There, she was killed. Oh, I also failed to mention your father’s death is your fault too. You see, Shinosuke found out that Celia had left. So he and Kurama raced over to the fort where the wolves were. They fought their way inside. Of course you were asleep during the entire thing. When your father came face to face with the leader, they fought. Your father was able to obtain victory. Before the wolf died, he poisoned your father. You’re the reason he’s dead Esmé! You’re the reason they’re both dead. Why do you think your father changed the law seconds before he died? It’s because he knew you were going to run us into the ground. He wasn’t going to tolerate a failure and neither am I. Bring her outside Kurama.”

Conya walked out the labyrinth with Kurama following her. Once outside, Conya pointed to Esmé. “I am your new Queen now! You will all do as I say. My first act as your queen is to never look the stray in the face. I, Conya, ostracize Esmé from out clan. You are nothing to us, now be gone!” She yelled. Esmé slowly climbed from Kurama’s eyes. Then one by one, the youkos left with Conya. Eiji, Yurime and Kurama stayed behind with Esmé. “We won’t leave you Esmé. We’ll leave the clan, we’ll travel far and-”

“No, don’t do anything for me. Conya was right. It’s entirely my fault. I...I’m leaving the clan. Do as Conya says and listen to her.”

Yurime and Kurama stared at Esmé in disbelief. “No! We can’t do that. Esmé listen to me-”

“If you ever respected me as your former princess, then you’ll do as I say. Please, go with Conya! She is your queen now! I bring shame to our clan and our family! Never look at me again! Go!! I said go!!!”

With the rest of her strength, Esmé bolted from her family and into the forest. Kurama wanted to follow but Yurime called him back. Tearfully, she led them into the castle. Elsewhere, Esmé continued to run. She coughed blood, tripped in mud, but got back up and ran. When she was tired, she crawled under a tree and began to cry. “I wish someone could take my life away. I wish Conya had killed me....I wish I could kill myself...I wish...”

“You really are a weak princess.”

Esmé looked up at teal haired woman. It was Aura Sunset. She glared down at Esmé with her red eyes. “If you’re looking for something to do with the remainder of your life then agree to come with me. I’ll train you and allow you to live with me and my friends in the Ningenkai. Take it or leave it.”

Esmé reached up to Aura, trying to grab her but she fainted. Aura turned away from Esmé and began to walk. “All right then girl. You’re in for the reality check of a lifetime. From this point on, nothing will ever be easy again.”