Ryuusei No Solitude

Chapter XXXI
Kanna threw the cloak around her shoulders and walked out of the room she shared with the rest of the girls and Tetsui, the head woman of Yomi's castle. She had been given permission to go outside by the head cook for more provisions, which Kanna had stolen and given to Shizuru as an excuse to go outside with Meko as a bodyguard.
Taking her basket she met Meko at the entrance. The cat demon wore his guard tunic and a katana sword at his hip. Around his forehead, wrists and ankles were the same circlets Kanna wore.
"Ready," he asked impatiently.
Kanna nodded. "I've got the list the head cook gave me," she said. "Female squealed louder then a Makai targ." (1)
"Just don't let her and Tetsui hear that. Let's go."
Both walked outside into a mild lighting storm, not severe enough to harm, but strong enough to male them hurry inside. Kanna hurried to the first doorstep and threw off her hood.
"When are we going to be contacted," asked Meko.
"When we are contacted," said Kanna. "You really must learn patience."
"I don't want to be patient. I want to get out of here."
"I've been in that hell-hole a hell of a lot longer then you. Ten years to be exact. No one wants to get out of there worse then me."
Meko looked surprise. "I'm sorry. How old were…."
"I was eighty." And both were silent. They waited for several more minutes before they heard a sound and looked down to see a tan cat with black eyes. It meowed again, turned and darted down the road. Kanna and Meko followed a few steps behind.
The cat went back into an alley and scratched the back door of a tavern and inn. The door opened and all three shuffled in.
"Upstairs," said the innkeeper. "Lounge number two. They're waiting."
Kanna nodded as Meko just glared at the innkeeper. They followed the cat up the stairs and Meko opened the door, a hand on his katana at the ready.
"Your defensiveness is admirable, but unnecessary, Neko."
Kanna walked inside the lounge, threw back her hood, and looked around. The inn lounge was a large square room with a fireplace to one side big enough to heat the room during winter. A coach was in front of the fireplace with two chairs on either side facing inward. A able was set in front of the couch on top of a woolen elaborate rug, probably to make it look fancier and nicer then it was. A floral decoration of assorted flowers were placed on the table under an elegant white doily was to freshen up the room. Along one wall was a bookshelf full of book and the other had a table set against it with two chairs.
But Kanna took in less of the décor and more of the two demons standing in front of her. One was a large Neko with orange red hair and beady black eyes. His short curly hair was horrible contrast to his downy ears and his tail waved lazily behind him. The man next to him was a silver kitsune with sun-gold eyes and long silky hair like moonlight. His ears twitched slightly as he studied Kanna and Meko. Tied to his hip was a katana with a bandage wrapped handle.
"Kanna, I presume," he said.
"Youko Kurama," she said with a nod. "This is Meko. One of my associates."
"Kuwabara, keep watch," order Kurama and the beady eyed Neko shifted to cat form and left the room as Shizuru shifted back.
"Meko, go with him," said Kanna.
"But…"
"I am still eighty-three years your senior. Go."
Meko glared at her before shifting to cat form. With and angry his at Kanna he darted out of the room.
"Cute kid," said Kurama. He indicated to a seat.
"And he was still one when he was captured," said Kanna sitting down.
"And you're just a teenager wanting to get out."
"True, but I'm the teenager with knowledge on how to get into the castle."
"I know a way inside," said Kurama as the innkeeper knocked and carried a tray with tea and coffee. There was also sugar, cream, and little sandwiches to make a nice snack. Everyone was silent as the keeper set the tray down and left. Kanna resumed their conversation.
"If you think of using the secret passages, the outside exits are blocked. It was the first thing Yomi did after he took over. The castle is now locked up tighter then a virgin. No one goes in or out without Yomi's say-so."
Kurama glared at the water demon girl but Kanna casually stared it down. She had worse from Tetsui and the senior servants at the castle. But she also saw something behind the golden pupils. A small brief flare of hope.
"Shizuru, can we talk privately, please," asked Kanna. The Neko standing guard at the door looked first at Kurama, who nodded in agreement. After the door shut Kanna turned back to Kurama. "Tea?'
"Cut the niceties and tell me what you wanted to talk about," growled Kurama.
"All right. I'll have coffee myself." And she poured herself a cup and added cream and sugar. "You care for her, don't you?"
"What do you mean?" Kurama's voiced sounded surprise even if is body was relaxed and on guard.
"You spend an entire year looking for her. If that doesn't say you care for her, I don't know what does."
"I care for everyone in my team!"
"You my care for them equally, but Hiei more so then the usual. Or you wouldn't carry her sword around."
Kurama immediately put a hand on the pommel. "How did you…"
"Her ki signature is on the blade. Now, are you going to listen to me or do I have to leave and let you figure it out?"
"First, tell me. How is she?"
Kanna sighed. Here comes the hard part. "She's bad," said Kanna. "We'll have to get her out soon. Do you have a healer?"
"We have someone who can bandage us up pretty well and knows a bit about plants."
"Good enough. Koga can help out. Hiei has pneumonia, a few bruises, a cracked rib, and maybe a shattered hand. Most I can heal with my powers, but the rest will take time. I wish I had a professional around."
"As do I," said Kurama with a growl. "What do you plan to do?"
Kanna smirked. After calling in the others who had been drinking down at the bar they began planning. After several yelling, even more fights, they came up with a plan to invade Yomi's castle.
"So we'll begin in three days," said Yusuke.
"Yes," said Meko. "That's when Yomi will be most distracted."
Kanna nodded. "The ball is a perfect opportunity. There will be more security around the ball room then in the dudgeon and Meko will be one duty at the time."
"How will you get the key away from the house keeper," asked Kuwabara.
"Kuwabara, I think you should hide your gold better," said Kanna and opened her hand to reveal several gold coins.
"How did you get those," asked Kuwabara taking the money back.
"I was a bit of a pick-pocket when I was younger. I can get the key."
"Here, Kanna-san," said Keiko and handed Kanna a small packet. "It's the best I can do."
"It will do. Now, my produce?" Shizuru gave Kanna the produce they had stolen earlier. "Thank you. See you in three days."
Kanna a good-bye and both she and Meko left. After buying the last few things on the list both went back to the castle and handed the produce to the head cook.
"How did it go" asked Koga when they entered his pharmaceutical.
"Better then I expected," said Kanna.
"They were brash, rude," said Meko.
"Everything Hiei told us they were," said Kanna. "Here, this is for Hiei." And she handed Koga the packet Keiko handed her.
"Fresh herbs," he said after inspecting the packet. "This will make a difference. Some of these herbs are years old. Whoever was their last healer wasn't very good. "
"Well," said Kanna, "make up a cup of pennyroyal and red clover. (2) We're going to give her a visit."
They left the room half an hour later and headed down to the dudgeon. They easily got past the guard by Meko taking over his duty shift. As Meko kept watch Kanna and Koga slipped into Hiei's cell. The fire Koorime was huddled in the corner, her clothes more dirty and torn then the last time Kanna saw her and her once plaited hair hung limp down her back.
"Hiei," said Kanna softly. "It's me. It's Kanna."
"Go away," yelled Hiei so fiercely Kanna jumped back with a startled gasp. "I left like you wanted, now leave me alone!"
"She's delusional," said Koga.
"Hiei, they're not here," said Kanna. "Like you said. You left."
"Leave me alone" cried Hiei. "I didn't mean to! Mother!"
"Hiei, they're not here." But Hiei still cried out for her mother and sister. Licking her lips, she decided to try a different method. "I'm here, ane. Yukina's here."
"Yukina," asked Koga in a whisper.
"Her sister," answered Kanna.
"Yukina," said Hiei looking up at Kanna. The water demon supposed that in the dim light she might look like an ice demon. "Yukina, I looked for you."
"I know, but I found you," said Kanna. "I brought some tea for you. It'll make you feel better."
As Koga passed the drink Kanna reached into the bag and added a bit of lemon balm to help Hiei sleep.
"Kurama's coming," said Kanna, hoping the good news would calm Hiei down.
"Kurama? You've seen Kurama?"
"He'll be here in a few days, and then we'll be together again." Kanna carefully placed the chipped cup in Hiei's hands. "Here's your tea, Hiei-neesan. Okaasan said to drink it all."
"Mother?" Hiei nearly dropped the cup if Kanna hadn't had a hold of it. "Mother's here? Where is she?"
"She's away right. But with be back soon. Until then she told me to make sure you drink this tea." And she placed the brim of the cup to Hiei's lips. The fire demon eagerly drank, and the water and rhino demon watched as the herbs took affect. Hiei fell into a peaceful sleep and Kanna tucked the moth eaten blanket around her.
"I would like to add some blessed thistle next time with the pennyroyal and red clover for her fever," said Koga.
Kanna nodded. "I agree. Try to find some other concoctions. I'm going to try to smuggle some blankets and clothes. She won't survive the escape without warmth."
Koga nodded too and a whistle sounded. "Time to go," he said and he stood up.
Kanna stood as well and looked over at Hiei. "We'll get you out of here, oneechan," she said. "I promise." Following Koga she slipped out of the cell and out of the dudgeon without being seen.
TBC
(1) Star Trek: Next Generationa spiky pig that is treated like a dog by the Klingon race
(2) Herbs good for coughs and phlegm