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Part 11 (FY/YYH)
"Chichiri, where the fuck is Taitsukun!?" A very pissed off Tasuki questioned from the wall he was leaning against in Konan Palace's throne room. After more conversing in Tasuki and Chichiri's room, they, along with Kouji, Hotohori, Houki, and Nuriko, had moved into the throne room so that the monk could transmit a message to the Controller of the Universe and ask her to send them to Miaka's world. However, about ten minutes had gone by since Chichiri had said the incantation and nothing had come about as a result of it.
Gazing at the former bandit, Chichiri shrugged helplessly. "For some reason, I'm not getting a response. It's almost as if...Taitsukun has put me on hold na no da. I'm not able to get through no da." When both Tasuki and Kouji started ranting about old farts that never answered when they were really needed, Chichiri sweatdropped before furrowing his brow and trying once again.
Nuriko rubbed his temple wearily, his eyes falling onto the former Emporer of Konan. "Ne, Hotohori-sama, what if Taitsukun doesn't come through for us? Do we have any other options?" When all he received in response was solemn silence, the third seishi sighed and leaned against a wall. After all, there was nothing else to do but wait and pray to Suzaku that things would work out.
Tasuki gently cradled his bruised face in his palms and closed his eyes tiredly, Chichiri's continuous chants the only thing keeping him focused on the current situation. As it was, his mind was flipping from one scenario to another. Miaka had been kidnapped and was being tortured. Did that mean something had happened to Tama? He never would have let anything happen to her. The fifth seishi's thoughts then switched to Kuroino Sakura. Who the hell was she exactly? She had spoken of youkai...demons...there were plenty of demons in Konan and in the other countries. What had she meant?
Feeling someone tap him on the shoulder, Tasuki turned around only to find an incredibly pale and wrinkled face looking down at him. Eyes widening, the former bandit became deathly white and yelped in surprise. "HOLY SHIT!!!!! IT'S A MONSTER!!!!!" Similar screams emitted from the rest of the room's inhabitants except Chichiri who was sweatdropping heavily.
Glaring at the fifth seishi, Taitsukun pulled out her mallet and bonked him on the head before facing the others with an annoyed sigh. As usual, she was floating in the air, her thick gray hair tied and hanging over her loose apparel. "Mattaku, you guys STILL don't have any guts."
"Taitsukun, hassashiburi na no da," Chichiri said happily. After all, he had trained with the Ruler of the Universe for two years. By now the monk was used to her entrances and appearance...well, as used to her as he would ever be, he supposed. "I've be trying to reach you for some time now no da."
"I had a few souls to deal with," Taitsukun explained, and the monk frowned as he realized how seriously she had said these words. "With the current situation, Chichiri, I'm surprised you didn't contact me sooner. We have much to discuss."
Hotohori nodded solemnly after forcing himself to get over Taitsukun's...imperfect...appearance. "Tasuki told us what has happened to Miaka. That's why Chichiri contacted you. We need to get there right away, and--" The second seishi silenced quickly as Taitsukun began to chuckle. His eyes narrowed at her mocking laugh, not appreciating it in the slightest. "What's so funny?" Hotohori questioned in a dangerously quiet tone of voice.
Taitsukun stared incredulously at the dead seishi. "You only called me because of Suzaku no Miko!?" As confused looks crossed the faces of everyone in the room, the Ruler of the Universe sweatdropped and put a wrinkled hand over her eyes. "Mattaku...Miaka should be the LEAST of your concerns now! Yes, she has been kidnapped and, as far as I can tell, Suzaku no Miko is not being treated nicely, but you have more important things to worry about!"
"Whats more important than protecting our miko!?" Nuriko shouted angrily, shimmering eyes locking with Taitsukun's. How could she say something like that!? They had sworn their lives to Miaka! Nuriko had died for her sake! Now, Taitsukun had the nerve to tell them that they had a mission more important than saving the one they held most dear!?
Returning Nuriko's stare with just as much ferocity, Taitsukun cleared her throat and strongly responded, "Saving the lives of everyone in your world and Miaka's." The rage quickly filtered out of the third seishi's eyes, and Nuriko stared at her with confusion and disbelief. Seeing that she had full control of the conversation now, Taitsukun solemnly continued. "Suzaku no Miko will not be killed. If that situation changes, you will be the first to know. However, the youkai that have kidnapped her are of more concern to me and, therefore, of more concern to you as well.
"Tasuki, I assume you sensed something about Kuroino Sakura tonight that was not human." When the fifth seishi began to protest, Taitsukun glared at him and held up her hand for silence. As everyone else gazed at him curiously, Tasuki slowly nodded. "That's because Sakura is not human. She is a demon...her paralyzing power most likely gave that away."
"Paralyzing?" Kouji stared at Tasuki with shock. "Oi, Genrou, some bitch paralyzed you tonight?" When all he received was a nod from the fifth seishi, Kouji clenched his fists angrily. "Damn it, then why the hell didn't you say anything!? Shit!! All this time I thought you had been beaten up by a gang or something!!!"
Taitsukun sighed softly. "I'm going to assume you didn't tell your friends the full story because you didn't feel it was important, Tasuki. Besides, Kuroino Sakura is not our biggest threat right now." Sensing that she had the attention of everyone in the room once again, Taitsukun continued with her explaination of the current situation. "Suzaku no Miko's world is under attack though most of the inhabitants are not aware of it yet. She was abducted by a being called Kuroino Mushi...a human-bug hybrid that has all the attributes of an insect. Taka did not reach her in time. As far as I know, he's gone to see Seiryuu no Miko for help.
"Kuroino Mushi is a follower of one called Kuroino Atsuhi who was responsible for the burning of a dojo in Miaka's world during the past week. Sakura, however, is a subordinate of Kuroino Ai who was responsible for kidnapping a ningen female only a little while ago. During just the last twenty-four hours within Suzaku no Miko's world, a being called Kuroino Mukizu abducted another ningen female in Miaka's area. Kuroino Mukizu is the follower of one Kuroino Karaya."
Tasuki stared at Taitsukun with shock. "Who the fuck are they?" He asked at last, absolute puzzlement in his amber eyes.
"What you're describing, Taitsukun," Chichiri forced out, still not believing what he had just heard from the Controller of the Universe. "It almost sounds like these demons are invading Miaka's world."
Taitsukun nodded her head at this assumption. "A full-scale invasion to be exact. The beings I have told you about, I assume, are part of a larger army of demons. So far, Kuroino Sakura is the only one I have tracked coming into this world, but to have taken Miaka means that they intend to meet Taka face to face. If this is true, I wouldn't be surprised if more came into our world searching for all of you."
"It would probably be best," Houki began as she eyed Tasuki, Nuriko, and Chichiri, "if you three went to Miaka's world and beat these demons head on. Taka will need all the help he can get defeating the ones that took her."
Hotohori took her hand after a short pause, his eyes gleaming as he rubbed her palm softly. "Houki, you do realize that these youkai are after all of us, don't you? If Tasuki, Nuriko, and Chichiri went then I would also have to go." The Emperess of Konan lowered her eyes at these words but nodded her understanding. She had known all along that her husband would be leaving her, but Houki had been trying to deny this fact.
"Oi, aren't you forgetting somebody?" As everyone turned to look at him, Kouji waved his hands in the air, an 'x' appearing on his forehead. "I'm going, too."
Taitsukun gazed at the bandit with scrutiny before shaking her head quickly. "Dame." Kouji tipped over, and as he began to complain bitterly about how he wasn't being given fair treatment, Taitsukun floated to his side and whacked him with her mallet, cotinuing afterwards with what she had wanted to say. "I'm not discriminating against you because you aren't a seishi, Kouji. After all, to be able to keep up with Tasuki I assume you must be a decent fighter if not better than that.
"However, I have been bothered by the fact that these youkai have been abducting females. First these other girls are taken, then Miaka is kidnapped, and I assume that Seiryuu no Miko will also be targetted at some point," Taitsukun told them, nodding as surprised gasps and exclaimations eminated from the group. "While I have found no information on the other females that have been taken, it is safe to assume that they either have or are important to those who have some kind of supernatural ability. Demons as well-organized as these would not kidnap people for no reason. Suzaku no Miko has been taken. Seiryuu no Miko will be targetted. It's safe to safe that the Emporess of Konan is not out of danger."
"Nani!?" Hotohori exclaimed in utter shock, his worried gaze falling onto his wife who was staring at Taitsukun through wide eyes. "Why would they abduct Houki!? She has no special abilities--"
The Ruler of the Universe cut in sharply. "Houki is not a seishi herself, but she is close to you and is also the leader of a powerful nation. Not only will Konan weaken with her absence, but the youkai army will have more ammo to use. Right now, they can already taunt you with threats against Suzaku no Miko's safety. If Seiryuu no Miko is successfully abducted, you will have two strikes against you. Houki would be the third."
"So...you're saying that I should stay here to keep an eye on the Emporess?" At Taitsukun's nod, Kouji sighed, a small grin appearing on his lips. "I can do that." He turned his light gaze towards Houki. "Don't worry, Houki-sama. With me around, you'll be completely safe." Hotohori glared at the bandit, obviously not liking his tone of voice, while the rest of the seishi facefaulted.
Switching his gaze to Taitsukun once again, Tasuki pumped a fist in the air as a fanged grin appeared on his face. "Yoshi! We need to get to the other world and kick the ass of any youkai that comes after Seiryuu no Miko!!! After that, we'll kick some more ass and get Miaka back!!"
"Yare, yare...you have such a one-track mind na no da," Chichiri muttered with a soft sigh, sweatdropping as the former bandit nodded enthusiastically. "Taitsukun, can you open a portal to send us tonight no da? It would be best for us to reach Miaka's world as soon as possible no da."
Taitsukun smiled faintly at her former pupil before once again clearing her throat. "I wouldn't worry myself over Seiryuu no Miko. Not only does she have Taka to protect her, but two other warriors have volunteered to become her guardians again."
"Guardians?" Nuriko frowned with confusion. "What do you mean, Taitsukun?"
"Don't trouble yourself with it," Taitsukun told him, once again becoming serious. "Walk to the Suzaku shrine outside of the city. I'll be able to send you from there." With these words, the Ruler of the Universe disappeared from their sight.
Chichiri watched her go before stretching his arms and standing to his feet. "I suppose we'd better get a move on na no da." His gaze automatically falling on Tasuki, Chichiri's good eye widened with surprise. "Ara...Tasuki, your face!" As the fifth seishi stared at him with surprise and began poking his head, the monk bent down in front of him for a closer examination. "Your face has been completely healed."
"Oi, you're right," Tasuki muttered after a few minutes of prodding. "The pain's gone, too. That's kinda weird...when Taitsukun was here I started feeling a bit hot, but that went away, too." He finally decided to shrug off the situation with a smile. "There's been some crazy shit going on here lately. Let's get a move on, shall we? Those damn demons aren't going to send us an invitation or anything."
Nuriko cracked his knuckles eagerly. "It's been awhile since I've been in
physical form, and I intend to make the most of it!" Similar enthusiasm was
echoed throughout the group, and slowly the four seishi along with Kouji and
Houki started towards the outskirts of Konan in order to travel to the other
world.
"You summoned me, Jikokuni-sama?"
"You are exactly an hour late for our meeting, Kiraku no Baka," The figure clouded by the shadows of the dungeon-like room muttered darkly. His subordinate, Kuroino Kiraku, flashed a v-sign with an innocent smile on his face before fixing his slicked back blonde hair. Jikokuni examined the dark skinned man with a soft sigh. "At least you showed up. This is perfect timing, I suppose. Have you heard word from any of your followers about the Suzaku shichiseishi?"
Kiraku nodded eagerly, his black eyes glimmering eerily in the dim light. "Hidai has contacted me. Apparently, that old fart Taitsukun didn't sense his presence as she approached the seishi."
"And?"
"And they will be opening a portal in about an hour...which, for us, means a few minutes," Kiraku answered obdiently, offering a humble bow to his lord. "Jikokuni-sama, give me your orders and I will follow them dutifully."
From the darkness approached a tall man, at least six feet and five inches, with shining sea green hair flowing halfway down his back, a few careless strands brushing against his pale cheeks. Blinking his pastel violet eyes, Jikokuni smiled at his follower. "Separate them as best as possible. Two of your subordinates will remain in Konan while the other two will return to this world with you. I don't care how many of the seishi you bring to this world, but I want the Emporess of Konan as well as the two living Suzaku seishi. They will be of great use to me." Kiraku nodded to prove his understanding and with another bow he left the room.
Jikokuni watched him go with an evil shimmer in his otherwise excited eyes.
"Tonight will be the turning point. The necessities for total domination of
the worlds are almost all in my grasp. We have the healer who is also a pawn
to use against those pathetic madougu masters. The Keiko girl will be used
against Koenma's Reikai Tantei. Emporess Houki will make for a perfect weapon
against the Suzaku shichiseishi. Plus, I have Suzaku no Miko and soon will
have Seiryuu no Miko. There will be two gods on my side. I look forward to
seeing how they try to stop our movement." His laughter was soft...almost
warm-hearted, but as a female shriek penetrated the walls of his lower
chamber, Jikokuni's chuckling increased. Calming himself, he left the room in
order to find a subordinate that would be useful in tracking the seishis'
travel to the Ningenkai. Tonight, everything would change for his benefit.
Nothing would hold sacred in the Ningenkai when the sun next rose.
Wincing, Urameshi Yusuke hesitantly opened his eyes and was surprised to see that he was no longer in the foyer where he had just been moments earlier but was now lying on his stomach in the middle of a fancy room. The floors were a emerald-tinted marble and the walls were yellow with white flowered wallpaper and a white banister hanging over a tidy fireplace. "Oi, where the hell did Hanabishi go, Kuwa...bara...?"
That was when Yusuke noticed it for the first time. He was not only in a different room, but he was also alone. Hanabishi Recca had disappaered along with Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei. Standing, Yusuke gazed around the room a few times to make sure he hadn't missed anything. "Kuwabara!? Kurama!? Hiei!?" Getting no reply, Yusuke walked to the fancy wooden door to his right and tried opening it. His efforts were to no avail.
"This is shit," Yusuke muttered, his chocolate eyes growing dangerously darker. "That's it...Rei Gun!!!!!" Raising his pointed finger, he fired in the direction of the door. There was a huge explosion and Yusuke's body was thrown a few feet away. "Damn that Hanabishi brat!!! Why the hell can't he fight me fairly!?" He smirked at this thought. After all, since when had any villain fought fairly?
Gazing at the door that he had blasted moments earlier, Yusuke cursed loudly. Not even a bolt had been knocked out of place. Clenching his fists, Yusuke punched the ground and wished that he could release the hatred building up inside of him before growling and glaring at the door for a moment longer. "Hanabishi Recca...I don't know what the hell you're trying to pull, but if you don't give me Keiko back...you'll die for this. Shit, I may just kill you anyway."
Yusuke stood and paced around the room, finally deciding to kick the wall with fury. Fists balled so tightly that blood began to trickle from small cuts in his palms, Yusuke threw his head back with agitation. "HANABISHI RECCA, COME AND FIGHT ME!!!!!! IM RIGHT HERE WAITING FOR YOU, DAMN IT!!!!!!" Getting no reply, Yusuke kicked the wall again, a small grin tugging at his lips. This had gone to far. When that bastard decided to show his face, one of them was going to die...and Yusuke was going to make sure it wasn't him.
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Owari for now!
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I wrote this chapter while listening to Rurouni Kenshin music. Actually, RK is really good to listen to when you're writing angsty stuff. Then again, I still can't explain writing my fluffy YYH fic to a GW soundtrack ::sweatdrop:: So, what did you guys think? Ok? All these parts are building up to something. I swear!!! The next chapter will see some more FoR...I have a fun scene planned out for you guys so I hope you'll enjoy it.
Hehehe...I shouldn't be so mean to Taitsukun. Oooh, and let me just make something clear. Kiraku is NOT a bishounen and Jikokuni IS. I wish I could draw ^^;; How did Taitsukun know so much? Erm...Taitsukun is the Ruler of the Universe. You tell me. ::sweatdrop::
Well, I hope you enjoyed this part of the fic! Ja ne ^_^
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