Ryuusei No Solitude

Chapter XXXIV



"I didn't have to stay long anyway," said Kanna. "I knew since Kurama's fight with Yomi that everything would be all right."



"But why do you have to leave," asked Hiei, looking at his friend. Kanna smiled at him.



"As the ningens say, nothing lasts forever," she said and Hiei nodded.



Since Hiei's slow but effective recovery after the battle outside Yomi's castle six months earlier Meko and Koga had left a month after to return home and Kurama had began the trek to the Makai Sea, almost to the other side of the Makai continent, to take Kanna home. Kanna told them that she could return o the sea on her own but Kurama didn't want to take the chance of her being captured again. With no say in the matter, Kanna allowed the delegation. And, besides, Hiei still needed her. He still wouldn't let anyone touch him without permission except Kanna. Kanna had hoped Hiei would have moved on by now, being around people he knew wouldn't hurt him, but he was more guarded around them now, then he was before based on the stories the friend's told of the fire-demon.



"How long till we reach the sea," asked Yusuke. He had just finished settling his and Keiko's horse.



"We should be there tomorrow," said Kurama consulting the map by the fire light. "If not, then another two days at most, if the weather holds."



"It will," said Kanna looking up at the sky.



"How do you know," asked Kuwabara. "The wind's been picking up all day, and the sky's red."



"The sky's always red," said Shizuru.



"But when it sets it sometimes tinged green," said Kanna. "This one," she pointed to the setting sun, "is purple."



"How does that explain anything," asked Yusuke.



"Red skies at night, sailors delight. Red skies at morning, sailors take warning," said Kanna. "It means that if the skies red tonight it won't storm the next day. But if it's red in the morning it will. Since there's no storm tomorrow, we'll make it to the Makai Sea."



"Strange saying," said Shizuru.



"But very old," said Kurama. "I have heard of it."



"When we get to the Makai Sea, I will call for my people. When they arrive, let me do the talking. Speak when spoken to. More then likely my mother will hold a party for my return, and if that happens you will be on your best behavior." She looked over at Yusuke and Kuwabara.



"What," said both demons in surprise. That made the rest of the group laugh.



"You mother holding a party for you," said Keiko. "You must be a pretty important person."



"You could say that," said Kanna with a small blush.



That night, Kanna slept more peacefully then she had in years. Through mixed with the rest of the forest she could smell the scent of salt water in the air and hear water in the distance. The sound and the smell lulled her to sleep. The other's slept as if it was a normal night and not escorting a friend home.



On the other side of the cave Hiei and Kurama slept less then ten feet from each other. It took a month before Hiei would let anyone sleep near him except Kanna, and then it was only Kurama. Kanna slowly slept further and further away from Hiei each night till she was on the other side of the cave. Kurama and his friend seemed like a close knit group and she felt outside of the circle. So she tried to keep out of the group's way and let Hiei heal.



The next morning they reached the Makai Sea and tied their horses to a piece of driftwood. As soon as Kanna saw the sandy beach she jumped off the horse she was riding, and ran to the crashing waves, laughing. No one tried to stop her as she danced among the waves. She wore an ocean blue bikini crop-top and clothe of equal color around her hips, tied to her waist with a white belt. On her feet were sandals laced up to her ankles. The sandals now lay on the sand as she splashed among the waves. In her hair was a clamshell barrette holding it away from her face.



"Isn't this great," she said laughing. "I'm home."



"So we're here," said Yusuke. "Now what?"



Kanna smirked. "You've just got to know the right words," she said and dove into the waves. A few seconds later the ears of Kurama, Kuwabara and Shizuru started twitching. Kuwabara rubbed his as Shizuru shook her head. Kurama just looked annoyed.



"What is it," asked Hiei.



"A high pitched singing," said Shizuru. "Battering at my ear drums."



"Coming from the water," said Kurama.



Kanna emerged again from the water and walked back toward them smiling.



"What was it you were doing down there," asked Yusuke.



"Calling them," she said.



"Calling who," asked Kuwabara.



"My people, of course."



"Of course," said Keiko so suddenly that everyone jumped. "Water carries sound, sometimes for miles away. You were using the water to carry your message of returning. The main city must be miles away."



Kanna nodded. "I sent my message across the water. A dolphin or a whale will pick it up and send it across the water till it reaches my family."



"How long will that take," asked Kurama.



Kanna shrugged. "Could be hours. Could be a day or two. I've been missing for ten years so I don't know how they'll take my return."



"Then let's make camp," said Kurama taking charge. "Yusuke, Kuwabara, go hunt for food. I'll grow some vegetables and herbs. Keiko, Shizuru, find fire wood and fresh water. Kanna, Hiei, I would like for you to pitch the tents."



Everyone nodded and began their chores. Keiko and Shizuru too put water bags and went to find water. Yusuke and Kuwabara took out slings and went to find meat. Kurama went to a grove not far away and grew wild carrots, onions and various seasonal herbs. As they were doing that Kanna and Hiei put up their tents right on the sands.



"I wish you could stay," said Hiei as the finished with the last tent.



"I do too, but I have to go," said Kanna. "I have a responsibility. Kinda like how Kurama is responsible for you and your friends."



Hiei didn't really understand, but agreed. Kanna didn't like to talk about her past. She said it wasn't horrible or abusive, just that she didn't want it to change things. Hiei had gotten used to her being around in the last year and the thought of leaving her behind distressed him. But he understood that she had to leave and didn't say anything against it.



An hour later they were enjoying a meal of rabbit and vegetables stew. Yusuke and Kuwabara retold how they wrestled the rabbit and even showed a scratch Kuwabara "received" from the rabbit.



"Yusuke, you know that rabbits don't eat flesh," said Kanna. "And the scratch came from a blackthorn bush, Kuwabara."



Everyone laughed as the two blushed.



"Only Kanna can make a joke out of the obvious," said a voice behind them near the water. Everyone looked toward the ocean to find a handsome male water demon. His ocean blue hair fell to his shoulders and there was a smile on his lips. His hair was tucked behind slightly pointed ears, same as Kanna, and done in braids with shell decorated on them and around his arms were bands made of coral. Around his waist was a plain shark skin clothed and his feet were bare except for a shell anklet. His torso was bare showing a very muscular chest and his blue eyes looked on Kanna.



"Doesn't leave much to the imagination, does he," whispered Shizuru in Keiko's ear. Keiko nodded with a slight blush on her face.



Kanna laughed in joy at the sight of him.



"Mizura," she cried. Shooting out of the sands she ran toward him and hugged him. "It's so good to see you!"



"Kanna, I've missed you so," said Mizura returning her hug and swinging her around.



"As I have missed you," she said. "I have so much to tell you. Oh, I should introduce my friends." Grabbing his hand she led him to the group. "Everyone, this is Mizura of the Royal Guard, Son of Mizumaru. He's been my friend since childhood. Mizura, this is Keiko Yukimura, her boyfriend Yusuke Urameshi, the Kuwabara siblings Kazuma and Shizuru, Hiei, and Youko Kurama."



"I thank you for bringing Kanna back to us," said Mizura. He wrapped an arm around Kanna's shoulders, smiling down at her happily. She returned it. "I was sent ahead to tell you the preparations will be coming. They should be here at twilight." He turned to Kanna. "You're mother was very happy to hear of your return. Everyone was. Welcome back, Twelfth Lady."



"Twelfth Lady," said Yusuke. "The Twelfth Lady."



"Of the Makai Sea," said Kanna, not at all happy it was revealed. "Next in line for the throne by order of the Queen of the Sea."



"And she disappeared…." said Keiko



"Ten years ago," said Kanna. "You guys learn fast. Hopefully my cousin Umiko didn't usurp my place while I was away. If she has, then I'd have to kill her."



"She's tried," said Mizura. "Since your disappearance she's called herself the Princess of the Sea. You're mother didn't rejected it, but she didn't accept it. I think she had a feeling you were still alive."



"Why didn't you tell us," asked Hiei. "Tell me."



"If I told you, would you have treated me the same as you did when we first met," asked Kanna. Everyone looked at each other, as if unsure of their answers. "I thought so."



"I would have," said Hiei. "I don't care if you're a princess or a street rat." Kanna smiled at the demon she's come to call "sister."



"I guess we'll have to get a bigger meal," said Yusuke looking at their stew.



"There's a boar over by the tree," said Hiei. "Should be finished blooding by now."



"You caught a boar," asked Kuwabara.



"When," asked Yusuke.



"While you were hunting," said Kanna. "Hiei spotted it and we thought you might not come back with any meat so we killed it."



"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Yusuke.



"You came back with the rabbit," said Hiei. "It would have been rude to say anything."



Everyone laughed and got the boar ready to present with the delegation. As they worked they were entertained by stories of Kanna in her youth.



"Did she tell yo about the time she rode a wild shark," asked Mizura.



"Yeah, after you dared me," asked Kanna. "And I seem to remember a young demon getting on the shark after me."



Everyone laughed. By the time twilight set they had the boar roasted and seasoned. Kurama had even made a special sauce from herbs to serve with the roast.



When the delegation arrived there were several guards and hands servants that arrived first to set up the tables, chairs and food. Everyone helped, including Kanna. The servants were apparently used to her help and didn't object. When everything was ready the announcement was made.



"Presenting, her Majesty," called the announcer, "Owatatsumi, First Lady of the Makai Sea, Queen of the Makai Sea, Ruler of the Water Demon tribe."



As soon as the announcement sounded, Mizura stood in rigid attention and Kanna bowed. Everyone copied her.

The woman that appeared out of the water was a fair older version of Kanna. Her blue-purple hair was done in an intricate buns and braids and upon it was a crown made of gold, silver, and coral. Jewels were set upon it, making it look like sea foam at sunset. The gown she wore was made of shark skin, like everyone else, but enchanted in such a way that it shimmered into a variety of color. And her jewelry was made of a variety of shell, coral and jewels.



Owatatsumi, like any ruler of an element or race, took the name of the god onto herself, giving up her first name to make a connection between her people and the god. Kurama would do the same when he takes the throne, as would Kanna. The queen's eyes looked onto Kanna, who had her head bowed and looked at the ground.



"Kanna, my daughter, look at me," said Owatatsumi. Kanna looked up to face her mother. "Kanna, daughter of the sea, you have been away and have returned. The ocean welcomes you."



"Owatatsumi, Queen of the sea, my mother, I have been away for a long time. I have returned. I welcome the ocean's embrace."



Owatatsumi smiled, and walked, more like glided from what it look like to the group, and embraced Kanna, which she gratefully returned.



"Kanna, I have missed you," Owatatsumi said.



"As I have missed you, mother," said Kanna. "I could feel the call of the sea flow through me, but I was held back. No I can swim in its waters again."



"You're friends. You must introduce me."



"Of course, mother." And Kanna led her mother to the group. "These are the people who helped me, and who I have helped in return. They have become like kin." And she began to introduce them, but when she got to Hiei she smiled.



"And this is Hiei, my shinzo-shimai (1)," she said with a smiled. Everyone started chattering, for it was obvious that Hiei was a fire demon and a male. Owatatsumi smiled.



"An honorable title," she said, "but cause for concern. Isn't he the wrong gender to be called Sister of your Heart?"



"Hiei is a hermaphrodite, mother. He can be both male and female."



"Then the title stands! Welcome, Hiei, sister-hearted to Kanna."



"Thank you, your Majesty," said Hiei. "I am honored to meet you."



"Please, Hiei, you sister to Kanna. You may call me Owatatsumi. As should you all. You are kin to Kanna, so you are kin to me as well." And she turned to Kurama, the last to be introduced.



"Mother, this is…"



"Youko Kurama of the Shippomura," interrupted Kurama with an apologetic look to Kanna, "son of Youko Hikari of the Akaimura and Inari, King of the Kitsune, Heir to the throne of Kitsune."



Everyone looked at Kurama in surprise as he voiced his full title. All of his friends had their minds gapped, even Kanna. Owatatsumi, however, smiled.



"Itoko(2)," she said. "It has been long time since I saw the face of my cousin and your father, Inari. You look just like him."



"Thank you, cousin," said Kurama. "My father often told of his cousin of the sea. I am honored to finally meet you."



"And I you. Come, a celebration has been made. We will feast on the return of Kanna, the Twelfth Lady, Princess of the Makai Sea, and the visit of Youko Kurama, Prince of the Kitsune Tribe."



There were cheers and the festivities began. The sea demons brought out a large shark and various sea vegetables. They were grateful for the boar and served it alongside the shark. There were many stories, but always the subject of Kanna's disappearance remained unspoken off. She said it was a memory she wanted to forget, but she'll always remember how she and Hiei had met.



Kurama noticed one demon standing apart from the rest out of the corner of his eye. She was beautiful, more so then Kanna or her mother he'd give her that, with hair of dark water and eyes of storm clouds. The way she held herself and her air of superiority immediately told Kurama who she was.



"Umiko, I presume," said Kurama walking up to her.



"I see my favorite cousin has been talking about me," said Umiko sweetly, smiling up at Kurama but he was unaffected by her flirtations. "Nothing but good things I hope."



"I'm afraid I can't answer that," said Kurama with a smile showing that he had no wish to go further into casual talk. Umiko however, didn't like the idea of rejection.



"I see no reason why Kanna should admire me," she said. "I am twice as powerful as she is."



"But she's twice as smart. Excuse me, Umiko." And he walked away, leaving a fuming water demon. Not far off Yusuke stood and watched the exchange.



"Bitch," he asked.



"Bitch," confirmed Kurama.



They rejoined the feast and joined in the conversation. They were laughing at an experience Yusuke and Kuwabara had during a fight when Umiko walked up.



"Honored Aunt, you have forgotten to introduce me," she said smiling sweetly, if a little malevolently, at Kanna.



"Of course, forgive me, niece," said Owatatsumi. "Everyone, this is my niece, Umiko, Thirteenth Lady of the Makai Sea…"



"Princess of the Makai Sea," finished Umiko.



The whole table was in an uproar. Kanna and Owatatsumi shot out of their chairs. Kurama and the entire group followed. Hiei moved in front of Kanna with Mizura beside him.



"That title was annulled when I returned," said Kanna.



"You were gone for ten years, cousin," said Umiko. "Someone had to pick up the slack. Not everyone runs away at the first sight of duty." Her black eyes looked over at Kurama, who growled.



"Easy, Kurama," said Yusuke, holding the kitsune back.



"Oh, that's right," laughed Umiko. "Don't want to start a war do you?"



"He'd actually be doing the family a favor," said Kanna.



"And what does that mean?!"



"You're a sadist, Umiko. A disgrace to the Royal Line."



"And yet you were the one who ran to a brothel." Everyone gasped. Owatatsumi looked at her daughter who was red faced, from fear, embarrassment or anger no one could tell. "Oh, yes, I knew where you were."



"If you knew where she was, why didn't you tell the Queen?" asked Mizura.



"Must have slipped my mind."



"Yes, well," said Kanna walking up to her cousin, poking her in the chest with a finger. "As slippery as your mind is, you withheld information about a missing member of the Royal family which constitutes as high treason."



"Don't touch me!" yelled Umiko and slapped Kanna's hand away.



"You tried to keep me from my daughter all these years," said Owatatsumi said with a glare.



"If you want to blame someone, blame her," yelled Umiko pointing to Kanna. "Always running off on some adventure and leaving the royal duties to her attends."



"At least I'm not a scheming maniacal bitch!"



Umiko roared and a wave of water was flung at Kanna. The attack was so sudden that no one had time to reach, except Mizura and the group of friends. Mizura stood in front of Kanna to block the attack but Kurama threw up a wall of bamboo and Keiko a wall of earth around both Kanna and Owatatsumi. Yusuke, Kuwabara and Shizuru stood guard around the mother and daughter, spirit weapons bare. Hiei stepped in front of the wave and made a wall of black fire. The water evaporated on contact with the fire-wall.



When the wave ceased Kurama and Keiko brought down their walls to find the guards surrounding Umiko and she glared at Kanna, who glared back.



"I call the Challenge of Birthright," yelled Umiko. "I challenge "Princess" Kanna for right of Twelfth Lady and Heir of the Sea."



"I accept," yelled Kanna back, and throwing Yusuke aside, ran to meet Umiko. Umiko sent a wave of water at



Kanna, which she deflected and sent back. Both ran into the ocean water. Hiei ran to help her.



"No," said Mizura and held him back. "She has to do this on her own."



"But what if she's killed," asked Yusuke.



"That will be the end result."



"And you're gonna let this happen," yelled Shizuru. "She's your best friend. You love her!"



"And I trust her."



Kanna threw another wall of water at Umiko, which the other deflected. A wave of water rose up and was thrown at Kanna. She threw her arms around her head to protect herself. When the wave settled, Kanna was gone.



"Where are you, Kanna," yelled Umiko angrily, looking around the water.



"So angry, Umiko," Kanna's voice said through he water. "Always angry, ever since we were little. Why?"



"Everything was fine till you were born," yelled Umiko. "I was next in line! I was to be queen! You ruined it!"



"So you're angry at me for my existence, is that it?"



"Yes."



"Anger is a fickle friend, my cousin. If you give yourself up to it, you'll lose sight of everything."

And Kanna shot out from behind Umiko. She punched Umiko from behind and Umiko fell face first into the water.



Umiko shot out from the water and charged at Kanna with a raised fist. Kanna grabbed the fist and flipped Umiko over. Umiko used the momentum to throw a kick at Kanna's head. Kanna caught the kick and spun Umiko. Umiko landed on her feet as Kanna ran toward her.



It was then she felt the electric charge in the air.



"Oh, shit," she yelled and jumped out of the water just as the lighting hit the water. Umiko was unaffected since she was the center of the attack. "Where the hell did you learn that attack!?"



"You learn a lot of things in ten years," sneered Umiko. "Don't you think so, cousin?"



"Yes, I do," said Kanna and touched the water. Immediately the air dropped several degrees and the water froze. Umiko's eyes widened and she tried to get out of the ocean, but the water around her legs had already frozen.



"It's impossible," Umiko yelled. "You can't freeze salt water!"



"Actually, you can," said Kanna, sitting on the edge of the shore, "just at ridiculously low temperatures. And leaves me drained, which I bet you are as well with that lighting attack."



Umiko struggled against the ice. "Let me out!" she yelled. "My feet are frozen!"



"Exactly, and nothing but a desert will thaw you out. I learned this move from an ice demon guard. Good friend.



Never asked anything of me and always gave me a tip when I served him his beer."



"So kill me then!"



Kanna shook her head. "I'm not going to kill you. I'm going to let Aunt Ameko and Uncle Kawamaru deal with you."



Umiko's eyes narrowed and she howled and pounded the ice around her as Kanna fainted on the shore.



TBC



(1) Shinzo: Heart; shimai: Sister. Sister of the Heart.



(2) Itoko: Cousin