Love is a Battlefield
Part 16
By Sonya-chan
"OMIGOD!!!! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIIIE!!!!" screamed Kuwabara as he saw the tail of a dinosaur coming straight at the apartment.
"LOOK OUT!!!" yelled Kurama, bracing himself, he used his body to protect Yaten from the incoming rubble. Yaten held on to him as much as he little arms permitted her.
"We have to get out of here!" cried Usagi as she saw the tail miss the window. She headed to the door, helping Kurama along the way as the building shook.
"NO! HIEI!" cried Makoto.
"Kaasan... He'll be okay... Yukina-baasan went into small death and the Temple she was in crashed during an earthquake... She was okay..." Ken was trying to pull her away from the bedroom. Plaster was falling down the ceiling.
"KAAASAN!!!" cried Inazumi.
"WE HAVE TO GET OUT NOW!" cried Seiya as the building was shaken again. Kuwabara looked at Makoto as Inazumi and Ken tried to pull their mother away.
"She's gonna hate me... You're going to owe me Hiei..." The tall man grabbed Makoto by the waist and slinged her on his shoulder. He started to run ignoring the pain as she pounded on his back.
"LET ME GO!!! WE HAVE TO GET HIEI OUT!!!"
"Poor Kaasan..." said Inazumi as she picked up Yuki and ran. She was just behind when the ceiling collapsed. Inazumi braced herself for the impact hoping she could protect the cat. She cringed but nothing happened, she looked up and saw a brace made of plants around her.
"COME ON!" Shiro took her hand and he started to run to the stairway.
"Kurama you head out first... GO, GO, GO!!!" Said Yuusuke as he pushed the Youko in the stairway. "Seiya, Taiki, Haruka, go with him... KUWABARA! You're next!"
Everyone got out in a relatively safe way. Even for Kuwabara, as Ken tried to calm down his future mother.
"MAMA! You can trust me... Tousan is going to be okay!!!" said Ken as Kuwabara put her down. Makoto tried to go back up the apartment building. Ken stopped her and held on to her.
Inazumi got out with Shiro and she rushed to her mother, trying to calm her down. Shiro went to the familiar sight of his father.
:::Stars... I feel so helpless...::: said Yaten.
Shiro took her from Kurama. ::It's okay, Kaasan...::: He smiled :::I guess it's my turn to keep your from harm...:::
"Where the heck did that dinosaur go?" asked Haruka, with a flash of light, she transformed, the other senshi followed suit.
:::Awww... I can't even transform... I don't think Chibi Star Healer Make up is going to work...::: whined Yaten as she saw Kurama help to open a door so some poor people could escape the apartment building in front of them.
:::You'll have to sit this one out, Kaasan...::: Shiro replied. :::Don't worry... I'll keep you safe...:::
:::I'm not afraid...::: Replied his future mother. :::Just frustrated I can't do anything...:::
:::I can understand... I know how it feels to hang out with Senshi and not be able to do what they do...::: Shiro told her as he ran after the others.
"THERE IT IS..." Cried Uranus. "We have to kill it..."
"IYA!" cried Mercury. "Think of the destruction or the people it might kill if it collapses..."
"We can't let it roam around..." started Fighter.
"No... But maybe we can provide enough fireworks to distract it and lure it to Azabu Park..." said Gaia.
"There goes the neighborhood..." said Venus.
Eternal Sailor Moon stepped in front. "Gaia... We go with your plan... Venus, Fighter and Yuusuke... You will serve as diversion... Since your powers are the flashiest... Mercury, Maker... You go with them and find a strategic place where we can attack it... Kuwabara go with them and make sure no civilians are in the Area..."
Eternal Sailor Moon turned to Kurama, Saturn and Gaia. "Minna... Use your powers to steer it in the direction we want, Jupiter, give Kurama your communicator."
"HAI!" replied Kurama, Saturn and Gaia. After he took the communicator, Kurama summoned a wall of sturdy plant that snapped at the dinosaur menacingly.
Saturn used her silent block to close up a street. That was the biggest she ever tried, but the youngest Senshi couldn't let the others down. She held on as Gaia used her powers over the rocks to create a barrier. The dinosaur had no other choice than following the path.
"Usako!" Mamoru arrived in the nick of time to pluck Usagi. The roof of a nearby building gave way and he brought her to safety. "Are you all right?" he asked, she nodded.
"Hai... But I think you better help Kuwabara, Mamo-chan... You can help him calm the people that are in the park..."
"You want to sent it there?" asked Mamoru.
"Hai... We need more space..." replied Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Kamen nodded and ran to catch up with the others.
"Uranus!... Neptune!" called Sailor Moon. "Make sure it doesn't try to escape!"
Neptune and Uranus nodded and ran ahead, making sure they could do as their leader and princess asked. Shiro, Ken and Inazumi looked at Eternal Sailor Moon in awe.
"Wow..." said Ken.
"She's..." continued Shiro.
"INCREDIBLE!" finished Neo Jupiter."Mars!, Jupiter... Let's go... We better keep our powers to make that thing go down..." The other two senshi nodded and they were about to run and help the others when Ken called out.
"OI! CHOTTO MATTE YO! What about us?"
"This is too dangerous... You kids..." started Mars.
"HEY! I'm Sailor Neo Jupiter! And you're not going to leave me behind in a fight!" said the new Sailor Jupiter.
"Me neither!" said Ken, pulling out a sword from some sub-space. He chuckled when they were surprised. "It's a little something Kuronue-jisan showed me... Let's kick some dino butt..."
"I'll give an A for enthusiasm... Just what do you think your toothpick is going to do against it?... Do you have any powers?..." asked Mars.
"Errrr... Well... I know a couple of spells..." started Ken.
"He has none... Unless you count starting a fire..." snapped Inazumi.
"You never know!! It could be the thing that saves us all..." replied hotly Ken.
Mars, Jupiter and her daughter sweatdropped. Eternal Sailor Moon, walked to both boys.
"Shiro-kun... Ken-kun... I do have an important mission for both of you..."
Shiro and Ken beamed. "REALLY?"
"Hai, I want you two here... Guard the apartment building, make sure no one goes in and tries to get Hiei. Also you take care of Yaten-chan, until we come back..." Sailor Moon smiled.
"Awwww..." said the two boys, they put their hands to their mouths when they realized Yaten was still in Shiro's arms.
:::I hate my life... I really do...::: She pouted.
Sailor Moon sensing her mood added. "Yaten-chan... We'll find a way to make you your normal age again, but right now... It's for the best..." She turned to Neo Jupiter. "Ready to go?"
The girl nodded and they all took to the direction the others had taken.
Mukuro watched on, Setsuna had become transparent, a little like Kuronue a few moments before. She didn't really know what was happening, but she had enough sense not to interfere.
Kuronue gasped. "A portal..." He shuddered, it could only mean one thing. Pluto was breaking through and trying to reach him.
"NOOOO! SETSUNA! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, TURN BACK!"
He had no answer.
"SETSUNA! LISTEN TO ME!!! YOUR ACTIONS ARE WRECKING HAVOC IN THE TIME STREAM!!!! YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS? SETSUNAAAA!"
Kuronue hoped he could have appealed to her. She couldn't go to him, she must not. Reaching him meant she had to break the fragile balance of Time. God only knows what repercussion this would bring to the world.
He shuddered, he could imagine, North American Indians camping in downtown New York, dead or dormant volcanoes waking up, spewing lava everywhere. He could see people of different era popping up in different times. He couldn't let this happen.
Kuronue yelled. "SETSUNA!!! STOP!!! DON'T COME TO ME!!! FORGET ME!!!..."
He tried to get into the portal to get to her, but he couldn't even pass his hand. He was trapped in Limbo. He could only hope she could hear, come to reason and go back before too much damage occurred.
"Setsuna..." He whispered, slowly sinking in front of the Portal. "Forget me, beloved... I am not worth the jeopardy of all living thing on earth... Setsuna... Einen ni ai shiteru... Itsu made mo anata ren aichuu no... (*)" He cried softly. "Onegai... Kaeri... (2*)"
Pluto advanced in the stream of Time, wind battered her as she made her way into the Storm. If she could get lost into the Rift, she made no outward indications. All that was on her mind was to get Kuronue out of this.
"We have been separated for so long..." She said; a few tears flowing from her eyes. "My memory was wiped to ease my pain... But what about your own?..."
She heard him cry out to her to go back. So much pain and sadness in his voice, it sounded like he had already given up.
"I won't give up, Kuronue... Akari... It was too cruel to let you live with the memories and me without. Hang on my love... I won't let go until I find you... I feel the strength to go through with this... I have never thought of myself before. But I can't go on like this and I can't let you suffer any longer."
Pluto pressed on until she felt the path which Kuronue was forced to take. She slowly advanced on the path and neither vortex, rifts and temporal anomalies would stop her.
:::YAAAAAH!! SHIRO! LOOK OUT!!::: cried Yaten.
Shiro just had time to twist round and dodge the katana that was about to chop his head off. He rolled in a ball tucking Yaten in his arms. They heard a clash, it was Ken, he stopped the ronnin from attacking them another time.
"All right, some action..." He grinned. "I might not be as good as Tousan... But with you, hehehe... That should be enough."
Katanas clashed together as the two warrior battled. Ken had an advantage of speed and wasn't weighted down by an armor like his opponent. Unfortunately, the ronnin had more experience in battle. Ken received a slash across his chest, it was a good thing he was dodging because he probably would have been cut in half.
"ARGH!" Ken winced. Shiro sprung into action and used his plant powers to entangle the ronnin. He then rushed to Ken.
"Ku!..." spat Ken as Shiro checked his wound, it was deep. Yaten extended her little hand, she prayed she could at least stop the blood.
:::I haven't done this often... But I think I can stop the blood...::: She concentrated and Ken felt a tingling on his chest. Shiro watched as his future mother was healing his friend. Ken gasped impressed.
"Arigato Yaten-basan..."
::: No... Pro... problem...::: She replied before falling exhausted on his chest.
Ken hugged her. "You're my favorite aunt you know that?..."
:::Awwww... I bet you say that to all of your aunts...::: sighed Yaten as she closed her eyes. :::Oi... that drained me more than I thought...:::
"Shiro-kun?..." asked Ken. "Is it me or is you mother a little heavier..."
Shiro blinked. "I think she's growing up..." They heard the ripping of clothes.
"AAAH! SHE IS!!!... WHERE ARE OUR BAGS??? WE HAVE TO FIND HER SOME CLOTHES!!!!" cried frantically Ken, he took off his coat and wrapped Yaten in it.
"They are upstairs in Mako-basan's apartment..." replied Shiro as Ken handed him back the growing Yaten.
"I'm going..." said Ken as he started to the stairs.
"WHY?" cried Shiro.
"She's your mother..." cried back Ken as he ran up the stairs. "I'll be back as soon as I can..."
At about the same time, Kurama was helping the others with the dinosaur. He was running towards Tuxedo Kamen and Kuwabara when he suddenly felt dizzy. He clutched his head and took a few steps forward.
"KURAMA!!!" yelled Yuusuke. The young man was able to push the Youko away with force. He pushed him so much that he was sent flying towards Tuxedo Kamen and Kuwabara. It took the strength of both men to stop him.
Uranus gasped when she saw the tail swing at Yuusuke. She didn't have time to flinch when she saw the tail make contact.
And stop.
"RRRAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" growled Yuusuke as he held on to the dinosaur tail. Uranus wondered for a second if it was still the same man. He had long black hair and he now had weird tattoos on his face. "TRIED TO SQUASH ME, HUH? SQUASH THIS!!!!" Yuusuke lifted his hands and threw the dinosaur off balance.
"Whoa..." said Fighter as she arrived next to Uranus.
"What happened to him?" asked Tuxedo Kamen.
"That's his Mazoku form..." croaked Kurama.
"WHAT?" said Tuxedo Kamen.
"Yuusuke is no longer just human..." explained Kuwabara. "He's the descendant of the strongest Mazoku... A demon..."
"Hai... Let's hope he can con... HUH!" Kurama fell forward, Tuxedo Kamen helped him.
"Hey... Are you hurt?..." asked the dark haired man. He was about to use his powers when he saw Kurama's form shift, he was getting smaller.
"YATTA!" said Kuwabara. "He returning to normal!"
Mamoru frowned as he watched Kurama become smaller and smaller his ears changed and his hair color turned red. But just when the man in a tuxedo thought he would stop shrinking, he continued.
When the process stopped Kurama had the appearance of a five year old boy. He opened his green eyes as Yuusuke ran next to them.
"Oi Kurama... What happened?..."
Kurama frowned. "The thing that changed me is loosing potency... I aged..."
"You didn't age... You got younger!" said Kuwabara.
"You forget who I am..." said Kurama getting up. The pants of his school Uniform were too big and his jacket covered him like a huge robe. "I was Youko before taking my Ningen form. Time has moved forward for me, so I am now in my Ningen form at age... five I'd say..." He took off the cumbersome pants. "Err... I'll try to hold on to theses... If I grow up again... I'll need them..."
Tuxedo Kamen chuckled. "Hai... You'd make a few head turns..."
Kurama blushed. "And I don't want any guy trying to hit me for that..."
"Come on!" said Yuusuke. "Let's finish up that overgrown lizard!..." He ran to help the Senshi.
"He's... Actually looking forward to this?..." asked Tuxedo Kamen.
Kurama chuckled. "That's Yuusuke for you... Don't try to understand, when he smells a good fight, he's there..."
"Hai... One day it's gonna kill him..." mumbled Kuwabara.
Ken was sliding down the stairs, he had his and Shiro's backpack. After checking if his father's cocoon was okay, he ran back to Shiro and Yaten. He hoped she didn't grow too much. He gazed outside to see how they were doing. He gasped.
"SHIRO!!! LOOK OUT!!!"
Shiro was trying to wake up his mother when he heard Ken faintly scream. He looked up in time to see a prehistoric man lunging to him.
"What is this?" He said angrily. "Whack a guy with silver hair day???" Rolling he kicked the neanderthal in the stomach. "HAH! Little something Yuusuke thought me... although he did say I should aim lower..."
The towering burly man was stopped for a few seconds, surprised to have met with resistance. He garbled something which Shiro didn't understand but he was pointing Yaten.
"She's my mother... So point that finger somewhere else!!!" Shiro swatted the hand away.
The prehistoric man emitted a low feral growl. Shiro replied with one of his own. If he wanted his mother, it was out of the question! The man was dressed in furs and stank, it was his rancid smell that woke Yaten up.
"Ewwww... Seiya... Did you leave some smelling sweaty T-shirt in my room?..." she said. She opened her eyes and saw Shiro. She blinked. "Wait a minute... I TALKED!" She said excited.
"AWWWWOORAAGAAAH!" said the man in front of Shiro, pointing Yaten.
"OVER MY DEAD BODY!!!!" Replied hotly Shiro.
"EEEEEEEEIK!!!!" Yelped Yaten. "What the heck is that????"
Shiro didn't had time to answer, the man in fur made a grab for Yaten. Shiro held on to her, something fell from some sort of bag, the man was carrying. Yaten screamed. It was the remains of a human arm.
"OH STARS!!!" She cried. The man seemed more stronger that Shiro and since she was older, she just had to do something. She rose above her revulsion for that horrible creature and bit down on his hand as hard as she could.
Ken was coming down the stairs as fast as he could be if he didn't want to go splat on the floor below he had to be careful. When he reached a safe point, he jumped to the ground and ran to his best friend's help.
The man howled when Yaten bit him. With a snarl he gave her a backhand slap, due to her still small size it was enough to knock her unconscious. Shiro yelled. "MAMA!! MAMA!!!"
The big man chuckled at Shiro's fright for his future mother's welfare. Shiro locked gaze with the man.
"YOU DARED TO HURT MY MOTHER!!!" Shiro never felt this furious in his life. He felt hatred filling his heart, this hatred triggered something in his mind.
Ken arrived in time to see Shiro's angered stare. He gasped when his friend's eyes rolled back and his brow glowed. The burly man shocked, took a step back. The glow on Shiro's brow leap from him to the man.
The prehistoric man screamed, his eyes wide with pain. Ken watched in horror as he keeled back over, his head exploding. The man had died a horrible death, by his friend's... hand, so to speak.
Shiro returned to normal gasping for air, looking disoriented. Ken bet his friend had no idea what he just did. Shiro checked his mother for injuries, Ken sat next to them and helped him.
Suddenly, Shiro gave Yaten to Ken and he rushed away from them. He took a few step before being ill. When his stomach calmed down he saw the man that attacked them.
Ken went next to his friend. "Whoa... Shiro.. You okay?..." He placed a hand on his shoulder.
Shiro stared at the man he just killed. "I... I did that... Didn't I?..."
Ken bit his lip. "Hai..." He said softly. "I didn't know... You could do that..."
Shiro panted. "Me neither..." He sat up and shivered. "How's my mom?..."
"She got knocked for a loop..." Ken replied. "She'll be okay... How about you?"
"I'm cold... I feel weak... I thought my mental powers couldn't do that..." replied Shiro as he shivered. Ken gave him one of his warm sweaters.
"You felt trapped and he wanted to take care of your mom..." He stopped looking at the gnawed human arm. "He wanted to eat her... You know it. You snapped, you did all in your powers to protect her..."
"Ken... What if I hurt someone by mistake?..." asked Shiro, afraid.
"Shiro... If you ask yourself that question... Then you know you'll never do this on purpose to someone unless you are forced to... I trust you, you're my best bud..."
"I wish I felt this confident..." replied with a shiver the silver haired boy.
"Kurama!" yelled Sailor Moon. "We need to immobilize it! Can you use your powers to tie it up?"
Kurama concentrated, but he fell on his knee. "I can't... Not enough ki left... I have the youki I had when I was 5 years old... I can't..."
"KUSO!... I can't hold it much longer!" said Yuusuke.
"Me too!" said Jupiter. Uranus was helping her but they were loosing the battle rapidly.
Suddenly the dinosaur trashed and sent them all flying. The poor Yuusuke was sent the furthest away since he was holding on to the head. Jupiter and Uranus didn't fare much better they were slammed into a nearby wall. The others started to attack it but the dinosaur was still attacking and it was threatening Jupiter and Uranus.
Inazumi yelled. "LEAVE MY MOTHER ALONE!" She removed her right glove, all could see she had the tattoo of the black dragon etched on her skin.
"OH MY GOD!!!! NOT HER TOO!!!" screamed Kuwabara.
Ignoring him, Neo Jupiter started to spin, lightning fell from the sky and snaked around her. At the same time the Black Dragon emerged from her arm. The lightning then took the same form as the Black Dragon.
"BLACK LIGHTNING TWIN DRAGON... STRIKE!"
The dinosaur was bombarded by the two dragons, it shrieked as they killed it. The others took cover, after a terrible rumbling sound there was a calming in the sky. It was over.
The Black Dragon returned to Inazumi's arm and she collapsed. Jupiter recovered just in time to see her future daughter fall unconscious on the ground.
"My baby..." whispered Jupiter.
"Her glove must be what binds the Dragon..." said Kurama, still a bit dazed by the enormous amount of power this little senshi demonstrated. "We better put it back on her... If I'm right, she's going to need to recuperate.
"Just like Hiei..." whispered Jupiter as she took her future daughter in her arms.
Pluto had been walking inside the Maelstrom for what seemed to be centuries now. For all she knew, it might as well be the case. She gasped before her was the necklace, it floated there as if it was a beckon in the storm. The sight of it, filled her heart with hope.
"Kuronue... I'm coming..."
With the help of the necklace, she finally found the portal. She saw Kuronue slumped in front of it. She ran to him.
"KURONUE!!!" She cried as tears of joy flowed from her eyes. In her run, she grabbed the necklace. She saw him get up. Just in time, she went through the portal. "I LOVE YOU!!!" She broke through the barrier and sent it flying into a multitude of snow like fragments.
He held his arms opened to her and when she wrapped her arms around his neck, his strong arms encircled her. His heart was about to burst with joy, his love pouring out to her finally after all those centuries of waiting.
Their eyes finally showed their true emotions. Her remembering all the love she bore him, finally free, love wasn't a burden it was a joy. He was free also, free to let her know, how much he still loved her even though centuries had went by. When he held her in his arms, all those years melted away like ice in the summer sun.
"Setsuna... My love... My one... my all..." He whispered, his throat constricting by emotions he thought he would never feel again. His heart pinching to see her alive and full of life.
"Kuronue... Akari... My light..." Pluto replied. "My love..."
"I love you..." They both said together. They kissed, the very first kiss of love since they had been separated. The few kisses she had a few days ago were nothing compared to those. They both held each other close and as they kissed, tears fell down their eyes. Afraid to open their eyes out of fear than this was just a dream.
Also as they kissed they felt stronger, they felt their powers, uniting and singing in harmony. They felt a warmth between them, they barely realized that they were holding on to the necklace. The warm feeling intensified and a glowing magenta sphere appeared between them.
They stepped back and the glow and warmth intensified. It was all right with them but any evil creature would have been utterly destroyed by it.
The Garnet Orb appeared between them. They smiled and both placed their hands to it. They felt the necklace grow warm in their hand and meld into the Garnet Orb. They watched its progression as it reached the center. Seen only by them, the well loved necklace was now the beating heart of the Orb, beating in time with their hearts.
The Time Staff reappeared in Pluto's hand, with the Garnet Orb well on top of it. It indicated that Pluto was once more in control of Time, but this time, the burden was shared with the man she loved.
They kissed again.
"Of course... You realize..." He said softly. "That we have to repair those tears you did in the Time stream."
"It'll keep..." She replied as she kissed him. "Now we have all the Time in the World to do it... I have missed you so much these passed centuries my love... Hold me... A few moments together won't make the World collapse..."
He smirked. "I thought I was the silver tongued devil..." He whispered in her ear. He could feel himself being lead to the ground. He didn't resist.
"What can I say?..." she whispered between kisses. "I had a good teacher..."
End of part 16
(*) Setsuna... I will love you eternally... I will be in love with you, forever.
(2*) Please, go back..."
Love is a Battlefield
Part 17
By Sonya-chan
Il existe un tresor There exist a treasure Une richesse qui dort something valuable sleeping Dans le coeur des enfants mal-aimes In the heart of unloved Children Sous le poids du silence Under the weight of silence et de l'indifference and indifference Bien souvent le tresor reste cache. More often than not, the treasure stays hidden. Liberez le tresor! Free this treasure. <song by Michel Rivard. "Liberez le tresor">"I swear..." said Rei shaking your head. "We should turn this Temple into an hotel..." But she was grateful everyone was safe.
"I'm sorry, Rei-chan... I just have no place to fall back to and I got to make sure Ken and Inazumi are okay..." said Makoto.
Rei waved her hand. "Don't mind me, I was just feeling cranky. We have limited space so you'll have to share a few futons..."
"I have no problems with that..." puffed Ken. He sat down exhausted. He had just help Yuusuke and Kuwabara put his father in the monk's dormitory. "Man! That coffin was heavy..."
"Tell me about it..." puffed Kuwabara.
"Naaaaah... it wasn't too hard..." said Yuusuke. He tossed his new mane. "Damn... I will need to cut my hair again..."
"Never mind the hair!" said Minako. "How about those tattoos you have on you?"
"Ah... Those won't be there tomorrow..." replied Yuusuke shrugging. "As for the hair..."
"I can take care of that!" said Minako brandishing a pair of scissors.
The inner senshi sweatdropped. "Is it safe to let her handle sharp objects?" asked Makoto.
"Let's not..." said Rei as she took the scissors away from Minako. "You can cut his hair later, let's just make sure everyone is settled all right."
Shiro was having a nightmare, he was dreaming that his mental powers had gotten out of hand and that everyone was dying around him he turned in his sleep and bumped into someone. That woke him up.
Inazumi was jarred awake by someone bumping into her. What does Ken want? She thought, I'm too tired.
They both opened their eyes and stared directly into each other's eyes.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!" They both screamed backpedalling in the opposite direction.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY BED??? MY BED???... YOU'RE IN MY BED!!" They both said at the same time.
"STOP SAYING THE SAME THING I SAY YOU... YOU... ECHIIIII!" Inazumi grabbed a pillow and started to bash Shiro on the head with it. Shiro who was having a monumental headache tried to stop her from hitting him.
"OW STOP!!!" yelled Shiro. They both didn't realized it but their screams had alerted everyone who wasn't sleeping. The senshi and their friend just stared at them. Ken was chuckling he thought the entire scene was so funny.
"I SAID STOP!" Shiro did the only thing he could think of and wrapped his arms around her so she wouldn't hit him with the pillow again.
Inazumi yelled and seeing her arms pinned she gave him a head butt directly on the head. Shiro cried out in pain and let go of her his momentum making him fall off the bed.
Ken and the other started to laugh. That stopped Inazumi from hitting him again with a pillow. She looked at them with a shocked look. Ken doubled in laughter when he saw his sister.
But Ken's laughter was short lived when he saw Shiro rolled into a ball, clutching his head. He was screaming, out of pain and fright. The laughter died there and then. Inazumi looked over and saw what she did.
Shiro was drowning in a sea of thoughts, it was driving him mad. He could feel like someone had just given a party in his head and everyone was invited! He didn't know where he started anymore, he howled, scared, fighting the thoughts, but weakening.
"MAMA! MAMA!!!! HELP ME!!!" He yelled trying to keep the thoughts away. He remembered as a child when he couldn't block the voices how his mother would lull him to sleep with a song. When she was there he felt stronger. "Mama... Help me, Mama..." He cried weakly, he needed her mind near his, she could take the pain away.
But he was alone... All alone in the maelstrom of voices.
Everyone had rushed to Shiro, trying to figure out what was going on. Shiro's screams increased, he was going under. Too many voices, he shouldn't shut them up, he was loosing the battle. He felt his mind go limp.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!!" a small voice yelled.
They all turned and saw Yaten, looking like she was about five. She pushed them all away telling them to go. She took Shiro's head in her hands and concentrating.
Shiro was slowly sinking, when he felt a hand grip him. "Focus on my voice Shiro!..." He tried but it was so hard. All the other voices were still there.
"Minna..." said Ken. "I think we better do as she says..."
The others nodded, Inazumi wanted to stay and apologize but Ken pulled her with them. Leaving Yaten to do what she had to.
The tide of voices and thoughts receded. He turned his head and Shiro could see his mother, smiling at him, waiting for him with opened arms. He reached up and hugged his mother like a frightened child after a nightmare.
"Mama... Mama..." sobbed Shiro.
Yaten smoothed his hair with her small hand. "Shhh... Sleep Shiro... Everything will be all right now..."
Timidly, Kurama joined her, he wasn't much taller himself. He sat next to Shiro and Yaten.
"Is he all right, Koibito?"
Yaten sighed and slumped against him. "Hai... I was able to grab him before he slipped into a coma. I felt his distress, he called to me for protection, Ku-chan..."
"... mama..." Shiro whimpered again. "It hurts... Sing me a song."
"Poor dear..." Yaten whispered. "We better put him back on the bed."
"How?... He's too heavy for us to lift..." replied Kurama.
"I'll help..." Yuusuke came back in the room. "How is he?"
"Not too good... He's mentally and psychically drained, not even enough mental powers to shield himself from the onslaught of thoughts." Yaten said as Yuusuke took Shiro deposited him back on the bed. The regressed youths climbed the bed to be with their future son. Yaten cradled Shiro's head and softly stared to sing for him.
Kurama turned to his friend. "Thanks Yuusuke... I better stay with them..."
Yuusuke smirked. "Hey, no problem... Take care of him..." The tall brown haired young man turned around and went back with the others.
"He used his powers too much?..." asked Kurama.
"From what Ken-kun told me..." said softly Yaten. "He used a power he had never used before. So he's drained... and vulnerable unable to stop the thoughts of others..."
"I don't understand... I thought psychic would need to concentrate to hear peoples thoughts..." said Kurama, fluffing Shiro's pillow so he would be comfortable.
"That's a common misconception..." explained Yaten. "For us listening in into mind is second nature. We don't have to work for it we only do if that person is shielded in some way." Kurama moved next to her and they hugged. "It becomes necessary to block thoughts or else we get lost..."
"Lost?"
"Hai... That almost happened to Shiro..." explained Yaten. "Too much stimulus, too many thoughts, no longer any real grasp of the self. His mind was shutting him off, he was going into a coma."
"Yaten!... That's horrible..." gasped Kurama, he put a hand to his son's cheek. "Is he going to be okay?"
Yaten hugged him. "Hai... I think so, he needs to rest in a quiet place..." She smiled at him. "It's weird, ne?... To see our own son... Makes you all fuzzy inside... Doesn't it?"
Kurama snuggled with her and yawned. He still needed to recuperate his ki. "Hai... it does. He's got your eyes and shiny silver hair..."
"He's as handsome as you are..." Yaten added. They snuggled closer to him and fell asleep.
"What the... Oi?... What the *&%@ is THAT?" A young man with fiery hair asked. He was dressed as a monk, but from his behavior and speech, he was far from being a holy man. He knocked on the white opaline structure. "Ne?... What d'ya think it is?"
"I don't know.. no da..." said his companion completly exhausted. He could barely lift his head.
The other man went to his side and placed a hand on his chest. "You better stay down... You expanded a lot of Chi."
"You're right... no da..." His eye closed of it's own accord. "Stay... with me, Tas..."
"Hai I will..." said the fiery haired man. "You know I will..." he added softly.
A couple of hours passed, Shiro felt a little bit better. So his future parents ushered him to the others so he could eat a little.
Inazumi went to him immediately. "I... Gomen nasai, Shiro-kun... I... I overreacted and..."
"It's okay, Inazumi-chan... I overreacted too..." replied softly Shiro.
They were both looking shyly away when Yaten blinked. She looked at Makoto who had a knowing smile on her lips. Yaten looked back at her son and Inazumi and hurriedly sat next to Makoto. The two girls nodded excitedly to each other.
Kurama frowned and sat next to them. "Ano? What's going on?"
Makoto giggled. "Shiroi and Inazumi must be really close friends."
Yaten nodded knowingly. "I bet they're as close as sisters could be..."
Kurama frowned, not getting it. "Huh?... Was there a conversation I missed?..." Kurama facevaulted as the other women in the Temple started to whisper and giggle among themselves.
Makoto shook her head. "You're a man... You're not meant to understand women!"
Kurama turned his head to Yaten. "Was I just insulted?"
Yaten shook her head giggling. "No, Ku-chan... Mako-chan was just stating a fact. I'd say the same thing to Hiei..."
"Speaking of Hiei..." started Kurama. "Maybe we better check on him..."
Yuki entered by one of the windows. "He's all right... I just checked on him... I think he's safe over there... No one is out, it's raining poodles outside..."
Artemis sighed. "The expression is 'It's raining cats and poodles'..."
"I know that..." replied Yuki. "But it's raining so much, only dogs would be stupid enough to be out in this weather..." Yuki started to laugh at his joke, but no one laughed. "Awww... Guess it's a cat joke..."
"Excuse us..." said Luna. "But I think we have more important things to discuss than your talent of comedian..."
"Or your lack of talent..." added Artemis. Luna shot him an angered look.
"Oh well... Hiei's okay!" tried the cat.
"Nice try..." said Luna. "But this wasn't what I meant... What I would like to know is... Why do you talk?... You never remotely display such a feat before..."
"Hai... Yuki..." said Makoto. "I'd like to know too..."
Yuki sighed and jumped on his mistress lap. "I guess I better tell you all... There's so much to tell... I don't know where to start..."
"The beginning is always a good start!" said Artemis.
"Hey..." said Kuwabara. "Maybe he comes from the same planet you two come from... The planet Meow?..."
"That's MAW!" replied Luna.
"Not exactly..." replied Yuki. "I was born on Earth."
Artemis looked at him suspiciously. "What do you mean... Not exactly?..."
Yuki sighed. "Okay I guess everyone should sit down... It's going to be a long story..."
Ami and Taiki arrived with two trays full of sandwiches, they sat with the others. They all started to munch on the sandwiches and waited for Yuki to start his tale.
"As you know, Luna are Artemis are from Maw. I was born on Earth, but I do have Mawian blood..." started Yuki.
"How is that possible?" asked Luna.
"You weren't the only Mawians to be sent to this solar system." continued Yuki. "Does the name Bast, ring any bell?"
Ami spoke up. "She was the Egyptian god for cats."
Yuki nodded. "She was also from Maw..."
"B... Bast?..." said Luna, looking troubled.
"Luna?... Luna, what's wrong?" asked Artemis, worried.
"Bast was a friend... We grew up together... She was sent to Earth while I was sent to the Moon..."
"As you know... Mawians can take human form when they get older. But Bast wasn't much older than you were when at the End of the Silver Millennium... She survived as she could and she was the only one of her kind on Earth... She took in the companionship of other cats and... Well nature followed it's course..."
"Nani?" asked Usagi.
"She had kittens..." replied Mamoru. Yuki nodded.
"Wait a minute.. How could you know all that?" asked Artemis. "You weren't born..."
"Iya..." replied the black cat. "But it was her gift to us and all her descendant, that we would know all who sired us and in turn who was sired by who... So in a way, she would be remembered..."
"A sort of collective memory of your family tree..." whispered Taiki.
"Hai, she hoped than one day... People of her own race would know what had happened of her, through her children..." continued Yuki. "She loved all her children and took great care of them. When the humans became more civilized, she remembered her mission and tied back ties with humans."
"Of course, the people she had chosen were what you called the Egyptians. They were the first to stop cannibalism as a religious practice..." He stopped when he saw Yaten shiver and the others being a little disgusted by that. Yuki continued. "By then, Bast was able to transform into a human. This transformation awed the Egyptians and they adopted her as a Goddess..."
"For a whole Millennia she helped the Pharaohs rule the land. She found us good homes and cared for us. She fell in love with a human... I think his name was Pharass, unfortunately he died... He was called to arms to help protect Egypt from the Romans... They lost and he died away from her. Bast the Goddess was never seen again. She wished us well but she entered the household of Queen Nephertiti and died when the Queen did... You see when a Ruler died in Egypt, all her possessions included her pets were put in a coffin like she was."
Luna couldn't help but let tears flow down in the memory of her deceased friend. Artemis snuggled his head against her own to comfort her.
"She would have wanted you to know..." said Yuki quietly.
Luna nodded. "Arigato... Yuki... You can continue..."
Yuki coughed and resumed. "During her living years as a Goddess, Bast realized that some human with magical power could tap into her children lost potential. These were known as familiar, they could communicated with their owners and some of them could use them as their eyes. Of course, this brought the attention of ordinary people, some were scared, some weren't."
"With the death of Bast, we, her children, started to drift apart. We had our cross-breed of cats scattered over the European continent. Unfortunately... This is where the story turns sour..."
"We reached the Dark Ages, then the Middle Ages. Humans became envious of our masters and mistresses, of their abilities to heal and to understand things they did not. The first Witch hunt began, many of Bast descendant were killed along with their owner, branded as the demons' spawns."
"Next came the Plague and after that the Renaissance. Once again those who had helped during the great Plague were branded as Witches and hanged. Many more of my ancestors died during this period. During the great Witch hunt of the 18th Century, some were luckier and arrived in America. Unfortunately, during this trying time, many of those who lived in Salem were killed along with their owners."
"The next Exodus was during the rush to colonize America. One of my ancestors was also a spirit guide for a North American Indian. The branch of my family came to Japan after the Second World War when Japan reopened her arms to the world. I am of the seventh Generation of Sons who came to this Country. I was the seventh son of a seventh son, so I was predestined to be a mage's cat. My great grandmother sent me away from the Temple she lived and boarded me in a truck that was going to Tokyo... She told me my destiny awaited me there..."
"My destiny... Up to a certain point, I thought my destiny was to die frozen, forgotten. When Hiei saved me... He warmed me up and gave me a home... I owe him my life..." finished quietly Yuki.
Kuwabara scratched his head. "I didn't think, Hiei had done that..."
"Hai..." said Yuki. "Those Humans had abandoned me... after swinging me all day like I was a box tied to a string. Hiei showed me a lot of kindness... so did Makoto-sama... I am very grateful you took care of me..."
Makoto smiled and stroke Yuki.
"Demo..." said Usagi. "Why do you talk now?"
"Usagi-san..." said Yuki. "The magic that is transforming Hiei also affected me. It woke up my Mawian heritage."
Makoto stroked Yuki, worried. "Is he okay?..."
"Hai, Makoto-sama... You took real good care of him." replied the cat.
"Hai..." croaked Kuwabara. "Now all we have to do is wait for him to wake up and start trashing the place up..."
"Kuwabara!" said Kurama.
"It's true... Or am I the only one that sees it?..." replied the tall orange hair man. "I wish it didn't come to that... But if it does..."
"YAMETE!!!" cried Inazumi.
They all stared at the young girl. "If Ken and me are here... It means he will be okay... He will..."
"Hai... But has he leveled half of Tokyo because of it?" replied Kuwabara.
Inazumi sat back down. "I don't know..."
"You don't know?..." asked Kuwabara.
Inazumi and Ken shook their heads. Shiro did the same weakly, he was fighting the urge to fall back asleep.
"Great... And the only person who could tell us is not here..." snorted Yuusuke. "How convenient!"
"If she isn't here... She has her reasons..." grumbled Haruka.
"Yeah sure... Whatever..." puffed the brown haired man.
Haruka gave Yuusuke and dangerous look. "Just what are you..."
"Ruka!..." said Michiru. "Yuusuke-kun... I think everyone is tired and nervous from their day... We better go rest..."
Everyone nodded. "Kurama... You want your place back?" asked Seiya.
"No... " replied Kurama. "You and Taiki go... I'll stay here with Yaten and Shiro..."
The two brothers nodded and went away. Everyone left except for Yaten, Kurama, Shiro, Makoto and her future children. Rei sighed.
"I have only two beds left... You'll have to share..."
Yaten and Kurama agreed to share one bed with Shiro. Ken looked at his mother and sister. "I can sleep on the floor..."
"You'll do no such thing!" said Makoto. "I won't let my son sleep on the floor... No buts, young man... We'll find you a spot..."
Everyone had settled for a good night's sleep. Yuki was napping near Makoto and her future children when a presence made him blink.
:::Master Hiei...:::
:::Hai, Yuki, it's me... It seems we can talk like this ne?:::
Yuki smiled at the deep voice he heard in his head. ::: You can also see through my ears, Master, would you like to?:::
:::Hai... Yuki... Drop the Master bit... Just call me Hiei... I'm no one's master...:::
:::Very well, M... Hiei... Just concentrate a bit more... You shall be able to see...:::
He fell Hiei's eyes connected to him, even though he was still trapped in his chrysalis. Yuki looked down on the bed. Hiei gasped when he saw Makoto sleeping between two youths. He recognized the first, it was Ken, but the girl.
:::Who is she?::: He asked Yuki.
:::Ryuuki Inazumi... your daughter, your future daughter...::: The cat replied, he could feel Hiei's pride as he looked at them. Inazumi yawned softly and snuggled closer to her mother.
:::Kawaii...::: softly laughed Hiei. But suddenly, he stiffened and Yuki couldn't feel him in his mind again.
:::Ano?... Hiei?... Hiei?::: called the cat. He could feel Hiei in the edge of his consciousness but he refused to answer. Yuki could feel Hiei on his guards. Yuki frowned, what was going on?
Kurama sat up in the bed, he looked around, Yaten and Shiro were still asleep. Kurama gasped when he felt it again. Youki... A powerful Youkai was coming here. He got out of bed, he had to call Yuusuke. He curse, he was too weak to battle such an opponent.
As he opened the door, his heart sank. "Oh my god..." he whispered. He just felt Hiei's ki flair up, did that mean he was emerging? No... It was too soon. He opened the door and ran in the dark corridor.
He bumped into someone in the darkness. He felt strong arms reach for him and pull him up. Kurama was about to use his plant powers when he recognized the face.
"Kuronue???"
"Hai, young one..." He replied with a smile. "It's me I came back..."
Kurama frowned, Kuronue's Youki wasn't the one he felt. "I felt a powerful youkai coming... I must alert Yuusuke..."
Kuronue shook his head and was taking him back to his room. "You know at your age... you should be in bed, young man..." He chuckled.
"Kuronue! You don't understand, Hiei..." started Kurama, his old friend shut him up by placing a finger on his lips.
"Hush... It's you who don't understand... This is his fight..."
Kurama's eyes grew wide. "I thought... I thought he was dead!"
"He is... In spirit anyway... Now only his hatred moves him..." He lifted his finger and touched Kurama's brow. 'It's his fight.... You will not participate in it..."
Kurama fought the spell, but his eyelids dropped and he fell asleep in Kuronue's arm. The winged youkai took him back to his room and placed him next to Yaten.
He whispered to his companion and kissed her hand. "You know, darling, this wakes a lot of pleasant memories..."
Setsuna smiled at him. "You love in a lot... like a son, don't you?" Kuronue hugged her.
"Hai... His presence gave me the courage to continue..."
She returned the hug. "Come... let's make sure they take the battle away from here..."
The Youkai walked towards the Temple with a murderous intent. He felt the pain she had brought upon him. Curse her, she cheated him of his glorious victory.
She would pay.
He would make her scream and make her wish to join Hiei in Limbo. Hiei wasn't dead, because of her... Once she was dead, he would make sure, the bearer of the Black Dragon wouldn't be far.
He reached the window where Makoto and her future children were sleeping peacefully. He ignored the cat on the bed that hissed to him. He scanned the room. He didn't know how but the two people who were with the one he wanted to kill had his hatred foe's ki.
His... Children?...
No matter, he would kill them also. No one would survived who had Koorime blood.
He lifted his hand to smash the window when a deep voice stopped him.
"Bui... You coward... Face ME!"
Bui's charred face turned. "It's impossible... Hiei..."
Love is a Battlefield
Part 18
By Sonya-chan
Bui looked at the man who just talked to him. It couldn't be Hiei... But the voice... He couldn't distinguish the features of his foe since he had his back to the moon.
His foe was much taller than Hiei almost as tall as he was. The hairstyle seemed similar to Hiei's but his hair trailed past his waist and was blowing in the wind.
"Who are you?" croaked Bui.
"Hn!" replied the man. "As if you didn't know... Kisama! I won't let you touch one hair off their heads..."
"Hiei..." said Bui still unbelieving.
"Stop acting so surprised and leave them alone... Your fight is with me and none other!" spat Hiei.
"I'll kill you..." said Bui, his voice sounding hysteric. "You and your brood will die by my hand..."
Hiei frowned. "You may threaten me..." He jumped to him in a blur. "I will protect my..." He paused. He never thought he would say those words but he said them with a conviction that awoke the dragon sleeping within him. "I will protect my family!"
Bui took a few steps back. He no longer had a demonic looking child in front of him, but a fully grown Youkai. The power he felt from Hiei was shaking him to the very core, it was a power totally alien to him, he never saw anything like it before.
He shook his head to regain his composure, he couldn't let Hiei know just how much he was frightened of him. This only consolidated his resolve, he had to get rid of Hiei, the koorime was too dangerous.
"Then come and show me how you can protect them if I do... THIS!" Bui concentrated energy in front of him and sent it to Hiei. The tall dark haired man used his body with catch this kinetic burst, he was growling, like a tiger protecting his cubs.
Pluto arrived on the scene. "Kuronue... Ima!"
Kuronue nodded and started to chant a few arcane words, as he moved his hands and described complicated signs with his fingers, a portal opened behind Bui.
Hiei, with a roar, sent the burst of energy back at Bui who was catapulted back in the portal as it opened. Bui was sucked in and Hiei jumped in after him.
"He sure is grumpy when he gets up..." chuckled Kuronue. He and Pluto ran to the portal and jumped in. It winked out of existence as soon as they crossed it. Yuki had time to jump in after them.
Shiro yawned, his headache was almost gone, but his head was still throbbing. He sat up and got up and went into the bathroom to get a glass of water. He almost spat out the mouthful of water he had when he looked back at the bed.
His future mother and father were in the bed, back at their original age. Shiro turned around blushing when he realized they were both naked. He sweatdropped, now that's something you don't see everyday! It was cute when they were both kids, but now...
Where are their clothes? thought Shiro. He spied back at them, trying to avoid looking at his mother. He saw the tattered remains of the clothes they wore as kids. He frowned, they didn't wake up when it happened?...
Wait a minute... Why didn't I wake up? After all their clothes must have ripped themselves. It's lucky those didn't strangle them.
Shiro turned back again when he heard Yaten mew and snuggled back to Kurama, who in turn, mumbled something and gathered her closer to him. He couldn't stay a second more, he didn't want to be around when they woke up and realized they were normal again. He slapped himself for a Hentai when he thought about what might happen.
He started to tiptoe towards the door. But he walked a lot faster when he heard his future mother sighing her father's name. He was running out the door when he heard his father say something in the lines of "vixen..."
Shiro puffed, he was glad that he was out. He sighed. "I need a bath..."
He was walking towards the baths. He grabbed a towel and was about to go in. Ken can running down the hall.
"I wouldn't go there, if I were you!!!!" He told Shiro. "My sister, mother and Aunt Rei are in there... And I don't think you'd be still alive after that..."
"Oi... Two close calls this morning... It's gonna be one of those days..." grumbled Shiro.
"Huh?"
Shiro shook his head. "Never mind... I don't want to talk about it..."
Ken shrugged and waited with his friend. "So.... how's the head?"
Tasuki woke up, Chichiri was still asleep next to him. Ano, the fiery haired man thought, he's still asleep? That's a first...
He turned around and screamed.
Chichiri woke up with a start. "DAAAAA!" He blinked when he saw Tasuki white as a sheet pointing something. The monk let his eyes travel to what was inspiring him such fright. He froze in place. He just stared at the white coffin that was there yesterday.
It was still there, but it looked like something got out of it by melting the coffin. Chichiri was frightened, what possibly could have happened. Surely he would have woken up. He looked at Tasuki who looked ready to run out of the room.
The two men looked at each other scrambled to get dress. Both of them were thinking that they didn't want to meet what ever busted out of there.
Tasuki was slowly panicking looking everywhere. "*^&$*$^!(*! Where are my pants!!!!"
Makoto was heading to the small abode of the monks where they stored hiei's chrysalis. Yuki was no where to be seen so she assumed him to be there, watching on Hiei.
She froze, then yelled like she never did in her life before.
Yaten and Kurama woke up instantly and both of them fell off the bed. That's when they realized they were back to normal and that their only clothes lay tattered on the bed.
They both yelped and covered themselves with blankets as someone opened the door. It was Shiro with his hand over his eyes.
"You have to come quick.. something happened to Hiei!"
"We don't have any clothes!!!" squealed Yaten.
"Aaaaa.... Tousan, my bags are there... I hope my clothes fits you... Kaasan... I'll go borrow something from Rei-baasan!..." replied Shiro, he closed back the door and ran to do this.
As Kurama went to get some clothes from Shiro's bags, Yaten sat there puzzled. "Why was he covering his eyes?..."
"Guess he doesn't want to see us naked..." chuckled Kurama.
"Poor kid..." sweatdropped Yaten as she caught a T-shirt Kurama threw at her. "He must have had a surprise when he woke up this morning..." She got up and pulled down the T-shirt, it covered her to mid leg.
Shiro came back with his eyes closed, walking blindly about. Yaten chuckled.
"We're decent Shiro-kun..." said quietly Yaten. Shiro blinked and handed her some clothes Rei had given him.
"What was it about Hiei?" asked Kurama as he put on a shirt.
"He's gone!"
"NANI?????" yelled Yaten and Kurama, they hurriedly got dressed and met with the others.
Makoto was besides herself with worry, when she saw Yaten she just ran to her and cried. Kurama ran to where Hiei's chrysalis was. No doubt about it, Hiei was gone. he had broken free of his chrysalis and was no where to be seen.
Kurama walked straight to the two monks. "Are you seen anything unusual... or hear anything?"
The monk with blue hair shook his head. "No, na no da... We didn't hear a thing..."
"We were both asleep..." replied the other one. "Just one thing though... I'm missing a pair of pants..."
"TASUKI! No da!... You probably put them somewhere..." replied the blue haired monk whacking Tasuki's head with his staff.
"Hey! (&$*&%@! Those were my favorite pair!" replied Tasuki.
Kurama facevaulted when he heard the fire haired monk curse, but he remembered Rei's grandfather and wasn't too surprised. "Ano... " he said interrupting the monks quarrel. "Were they black pants by any chance?"
Tasuki blinked. "How... How'd you know?..."
"Errr..." said Kurama scratching his head. "Wild guess? Excuse me I must check something with my friends..."
Leaving the two monk behind, Kurama headed back to the others. Rei was already contacting the Senshi and Yaten was calling Yuusuke and Kuwabara.
The blue haired monk looked at Kurama go. "I think no da... That he knows more about this than he lets on no da..."
"You think he's the one that stole my pants?" asked Tasuki.
"DAAAAA! WILL YOU STOP IT WITH THE PANTS???..." said the monk exasperated.
"We told you guys it was risky to leave Hiei in the Ningenkai!" said Kuwabara.
Both Ami and Taiki looked at each other. "Hiei isn't in the Ningenkai, Kuwabara..." announced Taiki.
"Where is my brother?" asked Yukina worried, she was supporting Makoto who was frantic.
"We have to find him! Why did he go away?" asked the brunette.
"It makes no sense..." said Mamoru. "Why did he awaken so soon and why did he go away?"
Haruka was about to ask something when Hotaru fell on her knees. "Hota-chan!" The tall blond was helping her up.
"Daijobu..." replied the smallest of the senshi. "Michiru-san, please use your mirror and show it to everyone.
Michiru did as she was told and everyone saw what had happened and everyone saw what had happened last night. Bui was still alive and had threatened Hiei's future children as well as Makoto.
Kurama slapped himself. "So it wasn't a dream!" He said out loud. Seeing how everyone was giving him a puzzled look, he explained. "Last night... I felt Hiei's ki... I got out of bed... and I was stopped by Kuronue... He put me to sleep with a spell..."
"Ano..." said Usagi. "Why did he do that?" Just as she said that Michiru's Aqua Mirror showed more. They all saw a Portal opening Hiei reflect his attack back to Bui and sending him flying into it. Hiei jumped after his foe. Both Pluto and Kuronue jumped after him and the Portal closed.
They all started to talk, wondering what was going on and why Pluto and Kuronue had acted the way they did. Shiro felt something. He wasn't sure what it was but Haruka and Michiru were standing just where he felt the concentration of power. He pushed them away.
Haruka turned around angrily just in time to see a portal open. "MINNA!" She gasped.
"It's the portal!!!!" screamed Makoto who didn't wait for anyone to react and jumped into it.
"KAASAN!" yelled Inazumi and Ken.
"Oh great!... What do we do know???..." whined Kuwabara.
"We go after her!" Yukina gathered her kimono and raced to the portal after Makoto.
"GYAAAAAAAAHHHH! YUKINA-SAAAAAAAN!" yelped Kuwabara as he ran after Yukina to stop her.
"Gomen, ne, Kuzuma-san... I must rescue my brother... and my sister..." She had time to say before she too disappeared.
"MINNA WE MUST GO AFTER THEM!" said Usagi with conviction. "HENSHIN YO!"
The others didn't waste time and transformed, Kurama, Ken, Shiro, Yuusuke and Kuwabara followed them in the Portal. When they arrived on the other side it closed.
"Are we in the Makai?" asked Sailor Venus.
"We are..." Replied Yuusuke. Before then stood, Pluto, Kuronue, with them were a woman with mechanic implant and a tall black haired man with horns and three pairs of ears, his eyes seemed perpetually closed. He smiled to Kurama.
"Haaaa!... Kurama... I haven't seen you in a while..."
Healer took Kurama's arm. "You know these people?..."
"Eeerrr... Hai... Those are Mukuro and Yomi... Yomi is... my old boss..." replied Kurama sweatdropping.
Yomi chuckled. "Indeed I am... You must be Sailor Star Healer... I've heard a lot about you..."
"Actually, it's Eternal Sailor Healer..." grumbled Healer.
"Don't get any ideas, Yomi..." warned Kuronue.
Yomi chuckled. "My dear Kuronue... It has been a long time since I sported any ideas on Kurama..."
Healer looked at Kurama, who blushed and sweatdropped. "That was a long time ago!..."
"How long?..." asked flatly Yaten.
"Five hundred years ago!..." squeaked Kurama trying to keep his voice low so his future son wouldn't hear too much.
Yomi chuckled. He wondered if the kitsune hadn't been caught at his own game. This little woman seemed to have quite a hold on him. Mukuro coughed.
"I think we have more pressing matters at hand!"
"Hai I think so too..." agreed Kuronue.
Makoto looked over the ridge where they were standing and gasped. "OH MY GOD!!!"
Her fellow senshi, her children and the rest of the Reikai Tantei gathered near her, they all were shocked.
"NAN DESU KA?" yelled Moon.
"It's impossible... It can't do that..." said Yuusuke.
"And yet... There it is..." said grimly Mukuro.
On the ground about a few hundreds feet below them was a mass of black globulous objects that writhed and heaved on the ground. Makoto's heart sank in the middle, she could feel Hiei trapped helplessly inside, his presence dwindling.
"It's the Kokuryuu..." whispered Kurama. "Why?... What happened?"
"It's Bui..." replied Pluto. "He's a raving Lunatic... With so much pain and confusion... He fought like he was desperate and when Hiei launched his Black Dragon Wave, Bui turned it against him."
"This happened before... But Hiei was able to..." started Yuusuke.
"Hiei is not stable... His growth isn't finished... Isn't it?" asked Kurama.
"Though physically he has aged, his powers have augmented, unfortunately he needed the time in the Chrysalis to understand his new levels of Powers..." replied Pluto.
Kuwabara's leg began to tremble. "He's... He's an S-class???"
"He about as strong now... as I was was when I first reclaimed my Mazoku powers..." said Yuusuke. "I don't understand... Hiei can control the Dragon..."
"Hai!" Interrupted Mukuro. "If this was a normal situation but it isn't..."
"You see..." continued Yomi. "Hiei's spiritual energies were depleted when Bui turned the dragon on him. Having nothing to sustain it the Dragon is taking nourishment only where it can... It's draining the Makai..."
"Pfffrt!... This place deserves this..." said Kuwabara.
"Oh yeah... Without no one to control the Black Dragon and stop its hunger... You think it's going to stop at the Makai???" asked Mukuro.
"You mean..." said Sailor Moon.
"Hai... If the Makai goes... so will the Ningenkai... and finally the Reikai..."
"It's the end of the World..." said Kuwabara.
"Hai... The remainders of the Koorime have called upon the Hunters..." explained Yomi. "The only way to stop the Black Dragon is to kill the summoner... They should arrive shortly..."
"IYA!" said Jupiter. "There must be something we can do!..."
"I'm afraid there isn't... Hiei must die..." said Mukuro.
"AAAAH!" Everyone turned to Ken, they all gasped when they saw that he was slowly dissolving. "Whaa... What's happening to me?"
"You are slowly being taken out of the timeline, Ken... I'm sorry..." said Kuronue sadly.
"Since Inazumi is a senshi... Her star seed will sustain her longer... But if nothing is done... She will disappear too..." said softly Pluto.
"NO! KEN!" cried Makoto as she hugged her son.
"Mama..." he replied in a trembling voice. "I'm scared... What's going to happen to me?..."
"Hold on Ken-kun!" cried Jupiter. But soon her future son became transparent. Everyone looked in horror as Ken disappeared in a collection of little golden stars, as if he had never existed.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" cried Jupiter, with her eyes full of tears as she saw the last little stars wink out.
Inazumi felt her feet get cold, she was discorporating also but for her the process was much slower.
Sailor Moon stood up with Tuxedo Kamen. In their hands appeared the Ginzousho and Golden Crystal. "We'll stop this from happening..." The senshi all nodded, except for Jupiter who was on the ground weeping for her lost son.
Healer couldn't help but feel helpless and sorry for Makoto. This has been the most horrible experience for her. She walked grimly with her senshi sisters, if they couldn't bring back Hiei, they would take care of the situation. All of them were sad that their duties as Senshi would this day, destroy the very love of one of their own. But they had no choice...
Shiro was in shock, his best friend was dead. No, worse than dead, because he was erased from existence, like he was never born. He could feel his own memories dwindle out in his mind, like candles blown away by a capricious child. He saw himself gazing down a baby's crib before that memory too vanished.
Eternal Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen raised their Crystal in the air, already the Senshi were sending their power to the Ginzousho. Besides Tuxedo Kamen, appeared the Generals and they took fueled the power of the Golden Crystal. Sailor Moon shed a tear for their friend. "Forgive us... Hiei..."
"YAMETE!!!!"
They all turned to see Jupiter was up. "Yamete! Onegai... Sailor Moon. You have got to let me try!"
"Are you crazy?..." said Mukuro. "What if you get caught in too?" She could feel movement in the valley. The Black Dragon had locked on their powers, they were to become the next meal.
"If I get stuck... Let the Hunters kill me too..." replied Jupiter as she walked to the edge of the cliff. The dragon leering her as electricity cascaded on her. She looked it dead in the eyes, ready to face it, it wasn't the dragon's fault, it wasn't even Hiei's he couldn't help what was happening. But if she could get to him in time and give him enough energy, they might be able to turn the dragon. She had to try, she had to prevent Inazumi from disappearing too.
"She's is going to get killed!" said Mukuro. She could feel that, Jupiter's powers weren't enough to deal with the dragon who wanted to eat her.
"MINNA!" said Sailor Moon. "Send me your power!" Without hesitation the senshi made a circle around Sailor Moon. Yuusuke went to stand in the middle with Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen.
"I have powers that come from the Makai let me help, Hiei's my friend... I won't let him down!" He placed his right hand on the Ginzousho and his left on the Kinzousho. He let his spiritual energy flow directly into the two crystal.
Kuwabara took a place between Mars and Maker, Kuronue stood next to Pluto and Kurama took Healer's hand and took a place besides her extending a hand to Seiya.
"Ano..." said Venus. "If we don't have Sailor Jupiter, how can we make the circle of power?" Venus looked wearily to the Black dragon that was approaching a very calm Jupiter.
Sailor Neo Jupiter took her hand. "I am Sailor Neo Jupiter... I will take my place among you..."
"You know your form is very unstable now?" asked Pluto. "Giving up your own energy might just wipe you out of existence...."
"I know..." said gravely Inazumi. "But I owe it to my mother and my father to try and save them... If it was my destiny to stop existing here... Then so be it... I owe it to my brother Ken to at least try..."
Shiro looked at her. "Ina-chan..." He said softly. She gave him one last look and smiled at him. He wanted to say something to her, how he felt about her, but the words got stuck in his throat. She closed her eyes, not seeing the turmoil he was in.
The head of the Black dragon was almost upon Jupiter, both Yomi and Mukuro recoiled in fear. Mukuro thought she understood why Hiei had fallen in love with this girl. She was brave and defiant as she was showing now with the dragon. Yet she was also loving and emotional, that much she saw when she cried over Ken. she could do nothing more than marvel at this young woman's faith in life, that made her put her life in danger for the man she loved.
"Have I ever had those emotions?... Even though I am ancient compared to her..." Mukuro said to herself softly. "She is wiser than me when it comes to Hiei... such character, such grace... such determination... No wonder he was smitten..."
Jupiter was squaring down the dragon when she heard her Sailor Sisters cry out. "SILVER MOON PLANET UNITED POWER!"
Jupiter could feel the power of the other flowing into her. She could also feel her senshi powers singing in unison with the others. There was a flash of light and Eternal Sailor Jupiter's wings grew in her back. The dragon was about to devour her when the light made it cringe.
It howled back as Jupiter used her wings to propel her to it. The Black Dragon seemed to recoil from the power she wielded.
A group of Hunters arrived on the scene as Jupiter was diving in the heart of the dragon. They were awed at the display of power.
"Look!" said one of them. "Something's happening... It's... It's going back!"
"No matter..." said the Head Hunter. "We have our orders, destroy Hiei..."
"Matte!" said Yukina. "They are trying to do something to save my brother! Give them time!"
"It's too dangerous... Now... Back away..." said the Head Hunter.
"No I won't let you..." said Yukina defiantly.
"I said... Move aside!" The Head of the Hunter was about to shove her away when a black cat stopped him.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you!" said Yuki, hissing.
"Oh and you think YOU'RE going to stop me??" said the Head Hunter. "hey... wait a minute... I'm talking to a cat..."
Yuki smirked. "Maybe not me... But I got reinforcements..."
"Yeah..." said a young female voice. "Us... So if you don't want your butt kicked around... You better let go of her!"
The man blinked, he looked to the newcomers and back to the senshi behind him. "I'm seeing double..."
"Hardly...." said a young girl in a black and white fuku a magenta bow in front and bat wings on her back. "We come from the Future because your stupid actions might jeopardize it..."
"Neo Pluto..." said Shiro, still fighting to keep the memory of Ken inside of him. "Ken disappeared..."
"We know..." said Neo Sailor Moon her pink ponytails flying in the wind. "We felt it Shiro-kun... as we felt Inazumi's distress.
Shiro turned and saw Inazumi was slowly fading away, her form shimmering she looked like a ghost but she held on to Mars and Venus' hands. "no... " He breathed.
"There is still a chance to save her..." said Neo Pluto. "But for that... destiny must follow it's course!"
"We have orders..." started the Head Hunter.
"ALL RIGHT!!!!" said the brunette who had talked first. "I've been itching for some action!" She cracked her knuckles for show and pointed her index finger at him. "Go ahead... Make my day!..." She said defiantly looking at him with calm brown eyes.
Shiro sweatdropped, Yuri was as just as bad as her father when a brawl was the main event.
"Ano... Yuri... Maybe we should plan a strategy..." said Neo Mercury, pushing back her brown hair in embarrassment.
"You do that... While I kick those bozos butts around..." said Yuri.
Neo Mars sneered. "Oh yeah... I knew we forgot something... Yuri's leech..." The senshi around Neo Mars sweatdropped.
"Aw Stars..." said Neo Maker. "Not again..."
Yuri stepped to Neo Mars and started a fight that would put to shame any Moon and Mars arguments.
Luna and Artemis facevaulted. "Just how much training have they had?" asked Luna, her left eyebrow twitching.
"Ano..." started Neo Moon. "About... 3 months... total... err... Weeeeell... About two weeks together?..." Luna promptly fainted.
Yuki laughed nervously. "Heheheh... I think I opened a Pandora's box." He was still laughing nervously as Neo Mars and Yuri were ducking it out with an arm wrestle contest.
As all this was taking place, Jupiter was in the belly of the beast. She was unaware of what was going on outside. She was looking for Hiei crying out his name.
Then she felt it, she felt Hiei's faltering Youki. She rushed in that direction, she couldn't see where was going in the pitch darkness. She could only guide herself to Hiei's Youki. She called his name frantically hoping he could hear her.
"mako..." Tears sprung in her eyes when she heard his feeble voice. He was there in front of her. she extended her arms and she touched his outstretched arm.
She rapidly held him close to her. "Hiei..." She whispered. "Hiei, you have to call back the Black Dragon..."
"Feeble..." He replied. Jupiter had to give him the Power she had inside of her.
"How can I do that?" she asked.
"The best way to do it would be to kiss him..." Jupiter heard Kuwabara's voice in her head. "Better you than me!..."
Arigato... Kuwabara... thought Jupiter as she kissed Hiei.
"You could have waited till I was out from your head you know!!! EEEEWWWWW!" squealed Kuwabara. Jupiter chuckled as she kissed Hiei.
Hiei's eyes fluttered open. He felt all his friends powers flowing inside him. He didn't think they cared so much for him to take such a risk. He was surprised to find Kuwabara. Well, he thought maybe that wasn't all that surprising.
One by one Hiei felt the powers of his friends dwindle as the dragon became more and more under his control. When the tattoo came back unto his arms, both he and Jupiter blacked out.
On the cliff, Neo Mars and Yuri's argument was cut short when Ken rematerialized in front of them and the older senshi and the Members of the Reikai Tantei collapsed on the ground.
"Well... then... Our work is done here..." said Neo Pluto smiling. "Come now... we have to go back... Inazumi, Ken and Shiro can stay..."
Yuri facevaulted. "NANI??? We didn't do anything!!!"
Neo Mercury chuckled. "I don't know... You two were a good diversion..."
"YOU MEAN YOU PLANNED IT LIKE THAT???" yelled Yuri and Neo Mars menacingly.
"EEEP!" yipped Neo Mercury as she ran into the Portal Neo Pluto had opened. She hoped she could run fast enough to elude her two pursuers.
Love is a Battlefield
Part 19
By Sonya-chan
Usagi grumbled and snuggled closer to Mamoru. It was so nice, she could feel the soft rays the the sun peering down through the window. What a way to start the day, she mused.
Start the day?
Usagi sat up in the bed. "OMIGOD!" she said. "Dad is going to kill m..." She blinked.
This wasn't her room. This wasn't even Mamoru's apartment.
"Kami-sama! Nani kore?" She asked.
Mamoru woke up next to her. "Usako?" He asked rubbing the back of his head.
"Mamo-chan... Doko ni?" Asked Usagi as she looked around. Mamoru started to look around also, not recognizing the room he was in. There was a knock at the door and it opened.
A woman with cat ears and tail entered bowing. "My Master Yomi bids you a good morning and he would like to know if you'd come to meet him for breakfast?"
"Errr... Hai..." replied Usagi. The woman nodded and exited. "Ano... We're still in the Makai..."
"Looks like it..." replied Mamoru. "Come... The sooner we eat breakfast we can go back to the Ningenkai..."
Usagi nodded and hurriedly got out of bed, she was still in her Princess form. Ohoh... She thought, I hope they don't know what it means...
Jupiter snuggled closer to the familiar warmth. She was dimly aware of the strong arms around her. It felt so nice, she thought sleepily. Slowly one by the recent events popped in her mind. She opened her eyes and saw the regular raise and fall of his chest.
Jupiter looked up to him. "Hiei..." She whispered.
She felt a small gasp of surprise get caught in her throat. It was Hiei, she was sure of it but his appearance had changed. His face was older, he was taller and his hair!... His hair trailing down to bellow his waist but it was still somewhat spiky at the top, the white Star burst was still there. She looked at him and she was thankful she was still on the bed because she felt like her legs would have gave way.
He was handsome... well he was before but now... He was so handsome and sexy, she felt dizzy just looking at him. She smiled she had to kiss him to wake him up. She had to listened to his low voice, look into his beautiful red eyes.
She bend over and kissed him lightly.
He didn't move.
She tried again... and again, again... Still Hiei wasn't waking up.
Jupiter started to shake him. "Hiei-chan... Wake up!" But still Hiei was snoozing away. "Maaaaaaaaaaaa... What could I do to wake him?..." She blushed bright red when she thought of a way, she could. But before she could put her plan to fruition there was a knock on the door.
"Maaaa..." She grumbled to herself. "Leave me alone..."
"Kaasan?..." She blinked it was Ken's voice. She ran to the door opened it and hugged her future son with all her might.
Ken started to make gurgle sounds when Inazumi said. "Kaasan... I think you better let him breathe..."
Jupiter facevaulted and let go of her son who took a deep breath when his mother let go. "Gomen nasai..."
Ken coughed a little. "Daijobu... Kaasan... How's Tousan?..."
Jupiter returned to normal and she couldn't help but scowl a little. "He's asleep..."
Ken sweatdropped. "Aha... He always does that when he used the Dragon too much..."
"Yep... He's always out like a light..." added Inazumi. "He's going to be like that for a few days... Nothing can wake him now."
"A FEW DAYS????" cried Makoto. "IT'S NOT FAIR!!!"
A little while later, they all sat down at Yomi's table, except for Hiei who was still sleeping. Mukuro was there, eyeing Yomi, making sure her 'colleague' wouldn't try to pull a fast one on her.
Usagi was feeling a little strange, because all the senshi were wearing their regal gowns, even the Starlights and Yuukana were dressed like that. She whispered to Ami who couldn't understand herself, it seemed they could only be senshi or Princesses here. Kurama fidgeted because his clothes were now from the regal crest of Healer.
Yuusuke felt a little nervous, when he first met Yomi and Mukuro they were at each other's throat but also they ate humans. He was relieved to see that they had cereals, bacons, eggs and other Ningen food.
"I still don't see why they slept here, Yomi..." spat Mukuro. She gave Yomi an angered look, the scrutinized Youkai didn't seem like he noticed.
"My dear Mukuro..." started Yomi. "You know as well as me how your... keep is rather spartan..."
"What's THAT supposed to mean???" replied the youkai woman.
"That I couldn't let the future Queen and her retinue sleep in less than agreeable conditions... We have to make a good impression... Wouldn't you say, Princess?..." He turned his head to Usagi.
Usagi laughed nervously. "Hahaha... Me a Princess?..." She said as the starlights and outers slanted their eyes and stayed on their guards. Setsuna simply drank her green tea not batting an eye as if this was normal.
"Come now... You mustn't be so distrustful my friends." started Yomi. "After all, my colleague Mukuro and me only seek to start the negotiations for our future collaboration..."
"Future... collaboration?..." asked Usagi.
"I think Yomi doesn't waste any time... does he?" A voice said behind the senshi and their friends. They all turned around to see.
"Ah... Koenma... I don't remember inviting you..." said Yomi in a cordial manner but without letting a underlying note of anger.
"You didn't... I invited myself..." replied the godling. "Just making sure you don't try to take advantage of the situation."
"Now, now... Koenma-sama... Me?.." asked Yomi.
"Hai you..." replied Mukuro.
"You are both frightening my guests... The Princesses..." started Yomi.
"Excuse me, sir..." started softly Mercury. "But how can you possibly know so much about us..."
"I think a wise Ningen once said: One must keep his friends close..." replied Yomi.
"And his enemies even closer..." said softly Kurama.
Yomi started to laugh. "Kurama, Kurama, Kurama... Always the suspicious fox... You haven't changed much have you?..." Kurama frowned at that comment. "Well to answer you my dear... We like to keep watch on our friends' relations... And in the light that happened yesterday, I think it's safe to assume that you are indeed the fabled warriors that were prophetized to bring a Golden Age in all the Three Worlds... As well as beyond..."
"I don't follow you..." said Usagi.
"Now, now... Both me, Mukuro and no doubt Koenma, saw you wield the famous Ginzousho, the light of which hasn't been seen for many Millennia... Marking you thus, the future Ruler of the Ningenkai realm..."
"How can you be so sure?..." asked Usagi cautiously.
"My dear Princess, we had an impressive display of your powers yesterday and this morning..." Yomi got up as the others looked at each other wondering what the youkai meant. He pulled on the curtains that hid the windows and they all gasped.
They all recognized the cliff where they were standing the day before. But none of them could recognize the area around it. The ravine was now bursting with life, plants of all sorts and water running through it. And in the middle of it, was a huge clear crystal.
"Masaka..." said Minako.
Usagi and Mamoru felt their crystal responding to the one outside, somehow, it was part of their crystals. They looked at each other and wondered how they could have managed to do that. Maybe the combining of power, but that never happened before, on Gaia life was slowly being nurtured, but it wasn't as fast as this.
"The prophecy is becoming true..." said Yomi.
"We found Hiei and..." started Mukuro. "... Sailor Jupiter inside that crystal thing... We were trying to figure out if there was a way to get them out when it just opened... So we took them out. It was freaky..."
"So you see the time that was prophetized has come..." said Yomi.
Usagi looked at him uncertain. she thought she would have more time than this. Pluto and Kuronue got up.
"Do not try to play games with destiny, Yomi..." said Kuronue. "It's a dangerous pastime..."
Yomi frowned for the first time since the Senshi saw him. "Is this a threat?..."
"No... A friendly advice..." replied the winged Youkai. Kurama frowned, he had never seen his old friend act so mysterious before. Well that wasn't true, but this was different. Kuronue turned to Ken. "Go get your father... We are leaving..."
Ken nodded and ran into the corridor. Shiro went with him, figuring his friend would need help moving him and just in case they encountered trouble.
"You can't leave now..." said Yomi.
"I'm afraid we do..." replied Pluto opening a portal. She smiled to Kuronue.
"I'm afraid I will haaavvvveee tttooo iiinnnnsssiiiissstttt..." started Yomi as his voice slurred like a stopped recording.
"HUH???" said Yuusuke. "What's going on here?"
"PLUTO!" said Usagi afraid. "You stopped Time???"
"I didn't Princess... Do not worry... " smiled Pluto.
"If YOU didn't stop time... Who did?" asked Rei baffled.
"Well..." started Kuronue as Ken and Shiro came back with Hiei. Pluto gestured for them to enter which they did. "I slowed them down to the speed of a lethargic slug... So TECHNICALLY... I haven't stopped time, just slow it down to a crawl..."
They all entered the portal as they could see Yomi and Mukuro move very, very slowly about a millimeter a minute. Kurama was pushed in the portal by a smiling Kuronue.
"YOU NEVER COULD DO THAT???"
"Hai... I just lost the ability to do it..." explained his friend as he also got in the portal. "I just gained it back... Yesterday..."
As they arrived back at the Temple it was late afternoon. The senshi except for Pluto, Uranus, Neptune, Shiro, Ken and Inazumi were harassing Kuronue with questions. Even the Reikai Tantei minus Hiei were in on the act. Kuronue silenced then with a single sentence.
"Ano... Aren't you kids going to a Ball tonight?"
You could almost hear the eyelids close as they all blinked. The silence was broken when Yaten screamed.
"ARGH! KU-CHAN!!! WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A DISGUISE!!!!!" He grabbed Kurama and they were out of sight in the blink of an eyes. Kurama had a slight shocked expression in his face.
"Damn... If I don't move it... Keiko is going to kill me..." He rushed out as well as Kuwabara, Yukina and the Inners. The only ones left were Makoto and her future children, Shiro, Hiei and the Outers.
"Well..." Sighed Makoto. "I won't be going to the Ball, now... I need to find a place to live. My apartment is trashed..."
"Maybe we can help with that..." started Michiru. "We found you a cute little apartment..."
Makoto blushed. "You didn't have to do that... I don't know if I can afford..."
"Don't worry it's all been taken care of..." said Haruka with a wink.
"But... But..." started Makoto.
"Ano... Kaasan... Tousan is a bit heavy can we go?"
"Oh noooo..." whined Yaten. "All the stores are out of costumes..."
"We are a bit at the last minute..." sweatdropped Kurama.
"I know... How could I have known I would have been reduced to a baby..." pouted Yaten.
"Daijobu, Yat-chan..." Kurama tried to be optimistic. "Maybe we'll be lucky in this store..."
"I hope so... It's the last one..." They both rushed inside. They were a little disappointed when the clerk shook her head.
"What are we going to do?..." said Yaten.
"Well..." said the clerk. "I have one costume left... But I'm not sure you'll like it... considering..."
"We'll take it!" said Kurama quickly.
The woman facevaulted she opened a catalog and showed them the costume. Yaten and Kurama facevaulted.
"I can't wear THAT!..." said Yaten. "Taiki and Seiya are going to kill me!"
"Ano..." said the woman. "It wouldn't fit you... But it would fit him... And we do have an assortment of costume for you to wear in your size... There wasn't as much as a demand as we thought..."
Yaten looked at Kurama. "I can't ask you to wear that..."
Kurama smiled at him. "It's... Not that bad... I mean it's a costume party ne?"
"Well yeah but..." started Yaten.
"We can make help you dress and get you both ready for that Ball in time..." said the clerk.
"Okay I'll take it..." said Kurama.
Yaten turned blue. "Ku-chan..."
Kurama hugged him and waited for the woman to go to the back store to kiss Yaten. "Daijobu... Next time... You get to wear it..."
Yaten smiled and blushed. They heard the voice of the clerk.
"Ano... Do you want fill it in?... We got fake br..."
"NO!" Yaten and Kurama both yelled.
"Keep those eyes closed, Mako-chan..." said Haruka. "We're almost there..."
"They are closed! But still..." said Makoto.
"Don't open them just yet!..." said excitedly Inazumi.
"Hai, Makoto-sama... Just a little more patience..." added Yuki.
People turned around to see the tall blonde help a tall brunette to the elevator. A spiked hair kid and his friend with long silver hair hair were helping another spiked hair man get in.
"We're almost there... Michiru... The key if you please..." asked Haruka. Michiru giggled and used the key in the elevator.
Makoto felt disoriented when the elevator started. She held on to Haruka who chuckled. The tall brunette thought the elevator was going real high when it stopped. They all took a few steps forward and Haruka told Makoto.
"You can open your eyes now..."
Makoto did so and almost fell backwards. This wasn't an apartment, it seemed even bigger than the Three Light's place. "The.. There's got to be an error..."
"No error... By the way you'll have neighbors... The Three Lights are moving next door..." said Michiru. "They have to be getting in right now..."
"I'll never be able to afford that!..." said Makoto as she gasped at the state of the art kitchen.
"Nothing?... Hai I think you can..." said Haruka.
"N... Nothing?..." Makoto almost fainted. "Haruka... It's generous but I can't..."
"We're not the one buying it either..." said Haruka. "Koenma said it was a down payment for all the work Hiei had done and since he was living with you... It's only fair that you get to stay..."
Makoto was about to protest but Michiru and Inazumi pushed her in a room to get dressed for the ball. Haruka looked at Shiro, Ken and Yuki.
"Okay, you three... Try to get Hiei to wake up..."
"HAI!" They replied before rushing back in the room where they left Hiei.
"Oh my god..." gasped a girl at the Ball. "Guess they are a steady couple..."
"Hai..." replied her friend. "I don't know a lot of guys that would do that..."
"It's not fair... They are either taken or gay!" puffed another.
"Life isn't fair... Bishonen go for each other and we are left with the scraps!" puffed the first girl.
Yuusuke and Kuwabara were drawing some punch for them and their girlfriend when they realized there was a silence in the room. They looked up to see Mamoru staring dumbly in front of him. They looked at each other then turned around. They both dropped their drink in shock.
Yaten and Kurama were the talk of the Ball. Because they had come in dressed as a Bride and Groom.
"Ku... SHUUICHI??? WHAT THE..." croaked Kuwabara.
Kurama blinked. "What?... You think it's not my color?" He asked as he ruffled his dress. "Maybe it's too tacky..."
"Ku!... What are you doing in a dress????" asked Yuusuke.
"I'm the bride!" replied simply Kurama.
And indeed he was. He was dressed in a magnificent wedding dress complete with sequins and rhinestones. He even had a veil and his his hair was done up and decorated with small pearls. Kurama even had a bridal bouquet made of white roses and forget-me-nots. Yaten at his side wore a pale blue Tuxedo.
Seiya and Taiki came running, thinking that Yaten was the Bride but they stopped dead in their tracks when they saw it was Kurama. The Senshi came to them and thought this was so romantic and kawaii of Kurama to have done that.
"What's so romantic about THAT??" said Yuusuke.
"You wouldn't understand..." puffed Keiko. "You have no romantic bone in you..."
Yuusuke facevaulted. "Well of course I do... Demo..."
"Don't worry Yuusuke..." Kidded Kurama. "This is only for tonight..." He hugged Yaten closer. "Next time, Yaten will wear the dress..."
"Aaaaaaaawwww... Kawaii!" said the girls. They started to giggle and talk to Yaten and his "bride". Inazumi gasped and saw in the corner of her eye, Ken and Shiro. She rushed to them.
"Hey, sis... No problem... Tousan is here... We told him to wait a little. Aunt Yukina is with him..." Ken said.
"You should have seen your father's face when Yukina told him she knew he was her brother..." added Shiro.
"It's a catastrophe!" said Inazumi.
"Huh?" replied both boys.
"You remember Ken-kun... Kaasan told us her first Ball with Tousan. They danced to "Eyes on Me"..." said Inazumi, her brother nodded their mother always talked with a special glint in her eyes each time she retold that particular story. "That's just it... There will be no song... The singer is sick and they have no one to replace her!!!..." Inazumi was besides herself with worry. "Maybe we shouldn't have come..."
Both Ken and Shiro looked at each other in apprehension. What if their presence had changed the future? The three teenagers looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Setsuna and Kuronue went to them.
"All isn't lost children..." said Setsuna.
"Hai... Ina-chan..." smiled Kuronue. "Why don't you go sing?"
"Me?..." started the girl. "Demo..."
"Wouldn't that change the events of time?" asked Ken.
"Iya... Makoto and Hiei will dance to this song..." Kuronue winked. "Makoto never did say who sang... ne?"
"It's a great idea..." Shiro took Inazumi's hand and dragged her with the help of Ken to the band. After a few moments of discussion with the people of the band that played for the ball, a nervous Inazumi went on stage.
"Everyone..." said the announcer. "We have Ryuuki-san who will sing for us tonight. Our regular singer is sick..." He gave the microphone to the nervous girl as Ken and Shiro rushed to get Hiei.
"Hello..." started Inazumi nervously. "My name is Ryuuki Inazumi..." She saw Makoto looking at her, in the background, the nervous girl could see her father approaching. "I'd like to sing a song to you tonight... I'd like to dedicate it to my mother and father, who like this song a lot... And also to my three singing teachers, they were the greatest singers, I knew... Here is my song, 'Eyes on me'."
The music started to play softly, Inazumi had a small prayer hopping she wouldn't be messing this moment for her parents.
"Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard."Inazumi's voice was light a clear. Even Shiro paused to listen to her. He smiled, she had such a beautiful voice why was she so afraid to sing?
"I saw you smiling at me Was it real or just my fantasy
You'd always be there in the corner
Of this tiny little bar."Makoto was smiling, she was so proud of her future daughter. The song was one she liked a lot. She was singing for her, to give her hope. Oh Hiei, thought the brunette, if only you could see this.
"My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no."Yuukana and Seiya danced slowly to the tempo of the music. Both loving the closeness that the slow dance let them achieve. They looked into each other's eyes, a silent promise was reached as Seiya took her hand and kissed it softly.
"I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly placed your eyes on me
Oh, did you ever know?
That I had mine on you.""M... Mako..." a deep voice said behind Makoto. Slowly she turned around.
"Hiei..." She breathed. She felt her legs wobble as if they were made of Jell-O. Hiei was there before her, wearing a Romeo costume. He looked so handsome, the brunette could hear the admiring whispers of other women. He extended his hand to her with a slight smile on his lips.
"Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you've never hurt
As if you've never doubt."Makoto took his hand and she didn't know how but she managed to walk to him. He's taller than me now, she mused as he put his arms around her. In his eyes danced a mischievous light she saw when she was asleep and visited him in dreams. She smiled those were beautiful dreams... only that.
Without saying a word, Hiei lifted his hand to her view and opened his fist. Makoto gasped when she saw her Rose earring, the one she had misplaced. No she scolded herself mentally, the one she gave the child Hiei.
"Hiei..." she said softly as he put her earring back on. In her heart Makoto felt so much love from this simple gesture that a few tears flowed from her eyes. Hiei held her closer.
"I'm here for you, Mako..." he said softly. "I kept it for you..."
"Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer."Usagi danced with Mamoru, she smiled, Makoto and Hiei looked like they were so much in love. Placing her head on Mamoru's chest she watched all her friends getting ready to dance with their loved one. Even Yuusuke and Keiko danced, looking each other in the eyes. Yukina danced shyly with Kuwabara. Usagi giggled Yaten and Kurama made head turns but they didn't care as they dance close to one another.
Hotaru sighed, she wondered why she bothered to come. She was the only Senshi to have no date, Michiru was dancing with Haruka. Even Setsuna snuggled to Kuronue, she puffed, she knew she shouldn't be jealous, Setsuna deserved someone and she was happy it was Kuronue. "I wonder if he's going to move in with us?... I'd like that I like him a lot..."
As Hotaru was sighing, Ken came to stand next to her. Smiling he asked. "Would you like to dance?"
Hotaru blushed. "Oh... Hai... Arigato..." Ken took her hand and let her to the dance floor. He danced in a waltz way with her because he could feel Haruka was watching his every move. He sweatdropped.
Makoto loved the way Hiei's arms circled her. Her heart was beating fast but as she put her head on his chest, she could feel his heart beating as fast as hers.
"So let me come to you
Close as I want to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast."Kuronue smiled silently to Setsuna, his purple eyes drinking deeply the sight of her pools of magenta. They had eyes only for each other and didn't see the inquisiting gaze and giggles of the Inner Senshi. Setsuna felt this was the start of a wonderful life together, the Gates of Time were much less lonely now.
"And stay there as I whisper
How I loved your peaceful eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you."Yaten gazed at Kurama's green eyes through the veil. Dancing so close together, the taller boy holding him tight. Yaten had a mischievous smile on his lips and he reached and unveiled Kurama.
Then he kissed him. Kurama replied to his kiss.
As they were doing that the others who were passing them, sweatdropped. They obviously didn't care they were in public. Many then made a face, it's two GUYS kissing in public.
But many girls took that thought away from their boyfriend as they too kissed on the dance floor.
"Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is."Inazumi continued to sing and noticed that Shiro wasn't dancing with a girl. He looked at her. She blushed deeply, she wondered if he felt something for her. She knew she did care for him deeply, she just didn't know how to show him.
"How can I let you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice
Just reach me out then
You will know that you're not dreaming."Taiki held Ami close to him, her perfume was soft and discrete. He loved this way of dancing and yet in his mind, he wished he could change back into his original form and hold her.
Ami lifted her head and smiled softly to him. Her eyes shined like a peaceful lake under the Moonlight and the light of the stars.
"My Angel..." whispered Taiki gently.
"Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you've never hurt
As if you've never doubt."The song was almost at an end. Makoto would always remember this as their song, for as long as they lived. She cried softly but not from sadness but in a mix of joy, love and longing.
Hiei pulled back and wiped the tears softly with his thumb. "Mako... Ai shiteru..." He whispered to her.
Makoto felt so happy, she forgot where she was and kissed him.
"Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer..."The song ended, Makoto and Hiei never heard the others. No one had the heart to tell them that the beat was now dance music as they continued to slow dance, listening only to the music in their hearts. They danced like that all through the ball, oblivious to all the other couples around them, content to gaze in each others eyes.
End of part 19
Hello minna! This song is from Final Fantasy VIII and I'd like to thank Usagi because she's the one who first told me about and sent me the song on ICQ (even if the Baka program is weird...) She was supposed to do a songfic with this song. (I'm still waiting ^^;;; Just kidding! =P)
I know the lyrics are a little weird (can't be weirder than my English... :::whistle:::) But those are the original lyrics...
Love is a Battlefield
Part 20
By Sonya-chan
Makoto smiled, finally she was happy, she snuggled closer to Hiei who was sleeping like a baby. Kurama told her he might be hard to wake for a few days but she didn't care. As long as he had come back to her, he could sleep next to her as long as he wanted.
She had missed his warmth and his presence so much. She was very grateful that he was back with her. Now, she smirked, she would spoil him rotten. She would make his favorite breakfast, miso soup and some rice. It was nothing fancy but he loved that. She tried to get up.
Tried was the good word because Hiei gathered her closer to him as she started to move away. His strong arms encircled her, he buried his face in her hair.
"Stay..." He said sleepily.
"Hiei-chan... You're awake?" asked Makoto.
"No, me sleepy, me want Mako-chan to stay with me..." He replied nuzzling her neck gently.
"Hiei-chan!" She giggled. "We have to get up.."
"Iya... We stay... Too nice in bed..." he replied. Makoto sighed, he had a point, the bed was too inviting to get up. But in the kitchen she could hear the tale tell sounds that someone was up and about in there. There was a knock on the door.
"Go away..." grumble Hiei. "We're there for no one..."
"Hiei..." giggled Makoto, he stopped her giggles with a fierce kiss. Makoto eyes went wide as a hearty blush crept on her cheeks. He had never done that before, but, she didn't mind the change. She closed her eyes as he gathered her even closer to him, kissing her still.
"Ano..." came Inazumi's voice behind the door. "Kaasan?... Tousan?"
"Hai... Ina-chan..." said Hiei, Makoto smiled, he was quite surprised to meet his future daughter.
Inazumi opened the door. "Ken asked me to tell you breakfast is ready... After that... We're ready to go..."
"Must you go back?... So soon?" Asked Makoto as she put a robe on. "Hai, Kaasan... We must go back to school, even thought I'd like to stay. I'm sure Setsuna-san won't be as happy to know that..."
"It's okay... Ina-chan..." said Hiei as he rose too. "You will come back and visit will you?"
Inazumi beamed. "Of course... By the way, it might be nice to slip to Yaten and Kurama that the kits will come visit for Christmas this year..."
It was windy this morning at the Hikawa Shrine. Yaten and Kurama were already there with Shiro when Hiei, Makoto, Inazumi and Ken arrived.
"All set to go?" asked Kurama.
"Hai... We go back to the 30th Century... To study..." replied Ken.
"I've got to continue my senshi training" added Inazumi.
"I'm sure you'll do great..." said Hiei as he hugged his future children. Kurama raised an eyebrow, Hiei never shown so much affection before. He smirked, he very well understood the feeling Hiei was having right now, the pride. Hiei had changed, he mused.
The Koorime looked at him and asked gruffly. "What are you looking at?"
Okay, thought Kurama, he changed a little. Yaten turned to her future son and hugged him tight.
"I wish you could stay... But i know you are needed in your own time. But next time... Bring Shiroi-chan..."
"Hai... I'll bring Shishi-chan..." Chuckled Shiro. "And even maybe the kits..."
"If they behaved!" kidded Ken.
A portal opened and out of it came Kuronue and Setsuna. "Are you kids ready to travel?" Asked the winged Youkai. "Your parents are waiting for you on the other side..."
The teens nodded and hugged their future parents one last time and after heartfelt good byes they entered the portal. They saw the familiar silhouette of Neo Pluto.
"I hope you guys enjoyed your little vacation?" she asked as they were back in the 30th Century. As soon as they got back they saw Urameshi Yuri running after Kou Tensai. The tall blue haired girl had the advantage of longer legs but the shorter brown haired girl was obviously wasn't giving up.
"You... big brain!" Yuri said as she yelled. "I'll get you!!!"
Ken sighed. "What happened?..."
"Yuri-chan is pissed... again..." said Shiro.
"I HEARD THAT!!!!" yelled back Yuri.
Tensai came to a screeching halt when their teachers came from around the corner. They were twins with bright orange hair, one was dressed in a traditional manner, the other was dressed as a gym teacher.
"Yukiko-sensei... Yukisa-sensei!" gasped Tensai.
"Now I gotcha... Oups..." said Yuri as she bumped into the tall girl.
"Now, now... Yuri-san... You shouldn't hurt your schoolmates" Said Yukiko.
"Hai, be lucky we don't tell your MOTHER about it..." warned Yukisan.
Yuri facevaulted. "Hai... Hai sensei..."
"Ima!" said Yukiko. "Let's go to class everyone..."
Her request was met as a grumbling from the Time voyagers. But their grumbled was short when they heard a bunch of girl run to them.
"LOOK! LOOK! Shiro-kun is back!"
"I saw him first!"
"No you didn't!"
"You both are wrong I saw him first!"
"Looser!"
"You're all wrong... He took my cookies the other day..."
"No way..."
"WAY!"Shiro grumbled. "Yep... Just where I left things..."
"You know..." said Inazumi a little miffed. "You wouldn't have them running after you if you didn't accept their gifts!" and with that she left with her nose in the air.
"They cram my shoe locker with gifts!!!! I have to take them out to get at my shoes... It's not my fault they think I accepted them!" said Shiro for his defense as he walked to catch up with Inazumi.
"You know I saw him throw out your cookies..."
"You liar!"
"I saw him too..."
"I guess he can't eat all our cookies... He would get fat..."
"That's true..."
"And we wouldn't want that to happen..."
"NO way!"
"Hey look... I think Inazumi-san is trying to get him away from us!"
"That GIRL!... Let's go girls!"
"HAI!!! <<much thumping noise>> SHIIIIRO-KUUUUN!"
"Eeep!"
"COME BACK SHIRO-KUN!!!"Ken laughed as Shinju, daughter of Seiya and Yuukana came next to him. "It never fails... He puts his nose outside and my cousin is almost tackled to the ground..."
"Hai..." Ken smiled. "I wish I had that problem..."
Shinju sighed. "Why have a bunch of girls running after you when one is all you need?..." She walked gracefully away, blushing a little.
Ken blinked. Did she just?... He stood there for a few seconds and smiled, Time would tell.
Back in the 20th Century
"I hope they made it back okay..." sighed Yaten, hugging Kurama tightly.
"I'm sure they have..." replied the redhead.
Hiei was hugging Makoto when he heard the voices of Kuwabara and Yuusuke coming up the Temple stairs, he chuckled. "I'm going to surprise them... I bet Kuwabara is going to be scared silly..."
He winked to Makoto and leap to the nearest tree.
"HIEI! DON'T!" yelled Kurama, but it was a bit too late.
Hiei had indeed jumped gracefully but he overshoot the branch by a foot and hit his head on the next branch. He tried to regain his footing unfortunately, both the fact that he was dizzy from the impact and because he was a lot taller than he used to be made him fall flat on his face on the ground.
Yaten, Makoto and Kurama stood there for a few seconds too shocked to move. They were looking at Hiei all flat on the ground along with the branch who wasn't sturdy enough to support his new weight. They blinked when they heard Kuwabara laugh his head off at Hiei's little mistake. Yuusuke gave him a rough nudge.
"Are you tired of living???" He asked. Kuwabara facevaulted and became pale.
Makoto ran to Hiei and helped him up. "Hiei! Hiei! Are you okay?" Hiei was still a little dizzy and started to chuckle.
"I'M DEAD!" said Kuwabara, shutting his eyes tight and waiting for death to come. Hiei started to laugh. That made Kuwabara open back his eyes, he looked at Yuusuke who was looking back at him as thought Hiei had just flipped or something.
Hiei laughed. "I think I need to get my tree legs back..." He doubled back in laughter.
"Ku-chan..." whispered Yaten. "I think he hit his head too much..."
Kurama smiled and hugged her. "I don't know why... but I don't think that's the case..."
Makoto hugged him and laughed too. Kurama chuckled and Yaten soon joined too. Yuusuke started to laugh too, caught in the mirth. He nudged Kuwabara and the tall man started to laugh too.
Tasuki, who was STILL looking for his pants, popped his head from behind a bush.
"What are they laughing at?"
End of part 20
Annnnnnnd That's all I wrote...
Love is a battlefield is now finished =) I hope you guys enjoyed the ride... Now... It took a little longer to write than I thought it would be... and Christmas is just around the corner...
AND KURAMA AND MAMORU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GONE TO AMERICA!!!
Mmm maybe If I have time this week you'll also see the Fanfic "Good bye, dear, my angel..." which will be Kurama and Mamoru's departure to America. Why that title?... when you read it you'll know..
The week after that i should start my Christmas fanfic =) hohoho! It's that time of the year again and...
"Pourrin!"
Huh?... Oh hello dear... How are you?
"Pourrin!"
Err... no I don't have any pouding... but I bet you'll get some soon...
"waiiii!"
He's so cute... Who is it? ^_~ You'll learn soon enough...
"Meee..."