Hidden Intentions
The Pendant of the Souls
Disclaimer- I own Yu Yu Hakusho…..:angry lawyers begin moving towards DFA:
eeep!…I mean I own Yu Yu Hakusho DVD’s…:angry lawyers back off: whew! That was
a close one. Nope don’t own it, If I did I would have Hiei chained to my bed * snicker *.
LOL just kidding. I claim ownership to any characters not in the series and manga.
“Normal Speech”
Thoughts: Telepathic Speech:Recap from last chapter:
The cave walls began to groan and crack as a fine tremor reverberated throughout thepassageway. Debris began to rain down from the ceiling onto Botan and Hiei. The cave
walls were beginning to give.“Run onna!!” yelled Hiei over the cracking of the stone.Dragging her up by the arm, Hiei sprinted down the passage way with Botan in tow.
Seconds later the cave ceiling collapsed in on itself, filling the air with dust. When the dust settled, Botan looked back behind her at the rock filled spot where she had
been lying moments before. Turning back to Hiei, worry crossed her face. “Hiei, we’re trapped.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Chapter 4- The Pendant of the Souls
“I am well aware of our situation onna. Quit your sniveling and let us go. We still have
to find the pendant for that knee-high fool Koenma. We can worry about getting out of
the cave after we have retrieved the trinket.” emotionlessly stated Hiei.
gives me the creeps.”Hiei nodded in affirmation and turned to head down the darkened passage way. Botan
whipped out her ever-handy-dandy flashlight and quickly followed the raven-haired
demon, not wanting to be left alone at any point in time while they were still in the cave
system. She was pretty sure that wouldn’t bode well.Hiei did not like the situation at all. But of course he wasn’t going to tell the onna.
There were just too many things that didn’t ring true. The forest surrounding the cave for
one. He would have to agree with the onna, the place was plain creepy. There had been
a strange aura around it. He hadn’t sensed anything quite like it before. Not that he was
scared; the place had simply unnerved him. Just as the cave itself had. The cave, just as the prophecies had said, was dangerous. And
now they were stuck in the place. He had yet to figure a way out of their rather sticky
situation, and as much as he hated to admit it, he was hoping the ferry onna would come
up with some sort of bright idea. He was more concerned about the caves other dangers
at that point in time. The beast that he had defeated back there was probably the
beginning of the trouble that they would face. It wasn’t as though the beast was that
difficult to defeat, it was totally the opposite. The beast was almost too easy. Yes, the
creature had been able to land quite a few blows on him, but the cramped space and a
good dose of overconfidence had played a large part in that. Not just that, but he had
been distracted. He had been worried over the onna’s safety. Why?Hn… I did not want her to be hurt, that fool Koenma would probably throw me back in
the Reikai jail if his precious ferry girl had been injured. That fool is always looking for
some reason to blame me. All the same, we need to get out of here. I highly doubt that
that creature will be the last of our problems. If that is the worst soul-sucking beast we
will encounter, we should count ourselves lucky.
Each was lost in their own thoughts as they continued down the tunnel. Neither had
spoken a word to the other since they had left the cave-in site. The main concern was
getting the pendant, so why all the rampant thoughts? It may have just been the
repressive atmosphere, but there seemed to be a lot to consider.
Botan wondered if they would encounter any more creatures like the last one.
Shuddering at the thought, she hoped they wouldn’t. She trusted Hiei to keep them safe,
but it seemed to her like the last one had been way to close of a call. When she had
regained consciousness from hitting her head on the cave floor from the creature’s first
attack, she had witnessed the beast landing a blow on Hiei. Naturally she had cried out.
But when Hiei had telepathically told her to be quiet she knew that he did not need any
more distractions. Even though she hadn’t made a peep during the battle (and even
though it did take a great deal of effort not to), it had seemed like Hiei had been
distracted by something. He hadn’t been fighting with his normal finesse and grace. That
was something Botan had rarely, if ever, had seen.
worried about him when he was fighting the creature. I knew that Hiei would beat it.
It’s not like there has ever been very many that could beat him. I can only think of a
couple. I know the creature must have landed at least a couple blows on him, but in this
dim light I can’t see for sure. I know we really don’t have time to stop and check, but I
really wish I knew if Hiei was hurt or not. Why am I so concerned about this? That
demon has done nothing but make my life a living hell most of the times that I have been
around him. Why should I care other than for the sake of the mission?‘Because you care for him’… Oh great, now I’m hearing voices. I must have hit my head harder than I thought. ‘Silly girl, you know that am right. You have feelings for the fire demon. Do not deny
them.’ I do not! I don’t care for Hiei in the least. I consider him a friend and that is all. What am
I doing? I’m hearing voices, and now I’m talking to them! I have got to be going insane.‘Nothing of the sort. You aren’t talking to strange voices, you know me for I am
you. At least I am what you do not have the courage to admit to yourself. You care
for the demon in front of you. Your dreams do not lie. You have cared for him
since the closing of the Dark Tournament, and your feelings have increased tenfold
since you saw his valiant efforts to defeat Sensui. Embrace your feelings; they will
not lead you astray. Your thoughts and dreams are a part of you girl. You cannot
deny them, just as you cannot deny me.’Why are you torturing me? You don’t know what you are saying. I don’t have feelings
of that sort towards Hiei. I can’t have feelings towards him. ‘Ah but you do. We both know that you find him undeniably attractive. Isn’t that in
itself a feeling? I have you on that. We both know that you crave love and affection,
and that you are drawn to him like a moth is drawn to a flame. He is a temptation that
you greatly wish to indulge in. You wish to taste him and all that he offers just as you
would desire to taste the finest chocolate. Remember, the only way to get rid of a
temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul will grow sick with the longing of
the things it has forbidden to itself. I will leave with much to be considered.’ And with
that, the voice receded to the back of her mind.After the little talk with her apparent ‘alter ego’, she idly wondered it that was how
Kurama felt when his Youko half decide to give him some input. The voice had been
more right than she wished to admit.
It was growing inside the host. The mark had increased in size and now covered much of
the host’s shoulder and neck, but still the host did not know it was there. The pink-green
glow throbbed in time with the host’s heart. Its effects were beginning to show. The fire
was beginning to grow inside of the host. Once the fire was kindled, there would be
nothing in its path that would stop it from consuming the host, from burning alive with its
heat.
It did not care if it’s host body died. That did not matter to it. It was neither alive nor
dead. It simply existed. Like a parasite it would feed, but it was not a parasite. No, nor
did it need sustenance. For it had no need for nourishment. With no form to feed, it
simply was.
It could grow, but it had no body.
It would feed, but would gain nothing for it needed no nothing.
It existed, but had no feelings or desires. It was as if it had always been there, but had
never been there.
It was all encompassing, but encircled nothing.
It had no conscience or soul, but it was neither evil nor good.
It could be created, but never truly destroyed.
It was all that was, and all that was not.
It was all that had happened, and all that could be. But at the same time it was nothing.
It knew all, saw all, and desired all.
It was building inside of the host. Not enough to notice yet, but soon it would show all.
Little by little the fire would overtake the host. Little by little the host would succumb to
its will. It did not matter that the host possessed a will and strength that surpassed many.
That fact was of little importance. The result would be the same. Nothing had ever
beaten it, nothing ever would. There were some things that could never be denied.
The two continued trudging down the damp halls of the cave. No light was in sight. Not
that they expected any. Botan’s flashlight had given out about an hour ago. Even with
his youkai senses, Hiei was having trouble seeing in the dark. So far they had not
encountered any more demons, or creatures, or whatever the heck that thing was. That
was a definite plus.
Botan had decided not to dwell on anything that had to do with their current mission.
What the voice in her head had told her had unnerved her far more than she had ever
wanted. To many things that it had said had rang true. Far to many.
Hiei on the other hand was wondering about he creature’s origins. He had figured that
the creature was one of the soul-sucking beasts that the prophecy had warned them of.
Prophecies tended to be right if you could understand whatever the hell they said, which
most of the time you couldn’t.
They had been lucky so far in avoiding any more demonic attacks, but of course as most
things went, their luck would soon run out. Nothing was ever this easy.
His Jagan told him that they were drawing near the pendant. He for one was glad that
they were almost done. He wasn’t exactly feeling very well. His neck had stopped
itching, but his temperature had seemed to increase. It was almost as if he was burning
up. He could also feel something building in him. He wasn’t sure he knew what it was.
He recalled that he had felt something like this before, but he had absolutely no clue as to
what it could have been. Whatever it was he wanted to get out of this place. The fox was
sure to have an answer if his condition worsened.
There was absolutely no desire on his part to see whatever else the caves many corridors
might hold. There could have been great treasure for all he cared, but he still wasn’t
going to stay in this place any longer than was necessary. If the onna wanted to stay and
play with the demons, she was welcome to it, but not even whole bucket of sweet snow
was going to keep him here.
Suddenly his Jagan picked up on a disturbance in the distance. Whatever it was, is sure
wasn’t human. He began to pick up his pace. They were definitely getting close to the
Pendant, so it followed that there was going to be a demonic guard to it. It would be a
folly for there not to be.
As they continued walking, it became apparent that the halls were becoming lighter.
There was some sort of light source up ahead.
:Onna… We are drawing near the pendant. I sense a presence up ahead. It is more than
likely guarding the Pendant. I need you to be wary.:
: All right Hiei…: She telepathically replied as she materialized her metal bat.
It was like stepping into the blinding sun. Neither Botan nor Hiei could see for a few
moments. Hiei was poised with his hand blocking his crimson eyes from the bright light
for a few moments until he could see again. That momentary blindness was what the
creature was looking for, and it intended to take it to his full advantage.
It attacked. Whereas, the last beast had been gray in appearance. This one was almost
completely colorless. It blended well with the stark surroundings of the cavern. Its empty
white eyes held no emotion except for hunger. Hunger for souls. Just as the creature
before it, this beast was drawn to the pure soul of the amethyst-eyed girl. It cared little
about the other soul. It opened its mouth; its razor sharp teeth glittered in the blinding
light. Its hunched body flew through the air towards the unsuspecting girl.
It was never to reach her. The white skinned demon was knocked off of its intended
course by a blur of black. The demon skidded to a halt a few feet away from the
crouched figure. Crimson eyes eyed the creature with disgust. How this pathetic
creature managed to be called a demon was a mystery to him.
He lunged forward, his sword raised to attack. The creature managed to catch his blade
between the claws of its left hand and stalled the blades decent towards the creature’s
opaque body. With a savage growl the creature ruthlessly torn into Hiei’s body with the
claws on its right hand.
The claws dug deep into Hiei’s back, raking from his right shoulder to the small of his
back. Blood poured from the wound soaking his clothes and splattering the ground
around him like a halo. Mercilessly the creature bit into his arm. The sound of tearing
flesh could be heard throughout the cave.
With an effortless toss, the creature threw Hiei aside and proceeded to move towards the
startled girl. The creature had assumed that the dark figure was down for the count. But
as always, the bad guy had underestimated things. And that was one thing that Hiei hated
most. The beast would pay for its mistake.
Never underestimate me fool.
It did not even sense his presence until the blade of his katana had sliced completely
through the creature’s up-raised arm. The severed limb thudded dully to the floor. A
look of astonishment flitted across the beasts face, and was quickly replaced by an
expression of pure blinding rage.
It spun and snapped at Hiei, but all it came in contact with was thin air. With a whip of
its long tail, the creature attempted to hit him. The spiked end of its tail caught on the
material in Hiei’s sleeve, tearing the material off as it passed, but leaving the fire demon
relatively unharmed, although slightly less clothed than he had been moments before.
Hiei had had enough of the creature. He levied the final blow. The creature did not even
realize that he had moved. That lack of inattention would be the death of it. Its massive
head rolled across the floor to land at the base of the stone pedestal at the center of the
room.
Upon the pedestal, suspended on what seemed to be thin air sat the Pendant of the Souls.
Their prize. Its luminescent glow filled the room. A mirage of dancing colors could be
seen playing across its pearly surface. Botan walked forward to grab it. It was one of the
most beautiful objects she had ever seen. It was something she was sure that even the
great thief Youko Kurama would find worthy of possession.
Oddly enough, there did not seem to be anything hindering her from retrieving it from
atop its pedestal. She placed the pendant in the special pack that Koenma had sent with
them to contain it so that it would not accidentally suck up any souls on their way back to
the Reikai vault. It was as if they had passed their final test in this cave of horrors.
Unfortunately that wish would not be satisfied. She glanced back at her companion to
find him kneeling on the floor with his back to her.
As she walked closer to him, she could see a fine trembling coursing through his form.
Blood was running down his arms in steady streams. His hand were clenched at his
sides, almost as if he was afraid he was going to reach out to someone, and was afraid of
the result of such an action.
Sweat was tricking down his face, and when he turned to face her, she could see a strange
haze in his eyes. One that she had never seen before. His chest heaved in labored pants,
his breath whistling through clenched teeth with every exhalation. He dropped the rest of
the way to a floor with a cry of pain.
She assumed it was his wounds that were causing the reaction. She knew she had to do
something to stop the blood flow. He may be a demon and therefore more resilient than a
human, but he still could die from blood loss. She ripped his bloodstained cloak the rest
of the way from this body. She knew he would be more than likely pissed about her
destruction of his clothes, but she figured that was a bridge that was better left uncrossed
for now. It wasn’t as if there was much left of it anyway. She began tearing strips from
it so she could begin bandaging his wounds.
That’s when she saw it. On his back a strange pinkish-green mark could be seen. It ran
from the junction of his left shoulder and neck to half way down his back and arm. Its
sickly color throbbed in time with his heart. She knew this wasn’t good, but focused her
energies on bandaging the bleeding wounds first. She would consider the implications of
this later.
With Hiei still on his knees in front of her, she continued her work. She had just finished
wrapping his the wound on his broad chest, when another wave of what she thought was
pain passed over his body. What she thought was pain continued to shake his form as she
finished bandaging his torn body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- Hello again all you readers. Sorry this chapter was shorter than the others, I was in
a hurry to get it typed up and at this point it was getting late. It’s about 1:30 in the
morning and I am finally coming off of my caffeine high. I apologize in advance for any
mistakes I might have made.
This chapter should bring us pretty close to the end of the story. I should have everything
finished up by chapter 6 at the latest. That is unless my plot muse decides to run off with
story. I never know what she is going to do
I would like to give a quick shout-out to a couple of my favorite writers Resmiranda and
Aine of Knockaine. You two rock! I highly recommend their stories. Resmiranda is the
brilliant author of “Tales from the House of the Moon”(InuYasha) and Aine is the
wonderful creator of “Forever Mine”(Trigun which is on FF and Mediaminer). Seriously
you should check these stories out. If I listed all of my most favoritist writers, we would
be here all day and then some. Much thankies to all you that have inspired me, I couldn’t
do it without you.
Huge monstrous cookie(with chocolate chips) to my lovely and loyal and o-so-amusing
reviewers:
Spikestar~ haha...loved your review and yea made me blush(again). Naughty thoughts
eh? Well great hentai minds do think alike...we will have to see what damage I can do
with my next story...
Suryallee~Ok so I didnt update as soon as I intended too...*shamefully* I was trying to
suck up some more reviews...well that and I really didnt feel like editing this chapter. Im
still trying to figure out how to stuff your cookie through the computer screen...but I keep
getting crumbs all over...I guess you will have to deal with the “virtual cookie” mmm
yum yum.
Please review. Reviews keep my muse happy and well fed! Reviews will also give me
incentive to get the next chapter out that much sooner. *puppy dog eyes*....looky looky
pretty button...says review on it...you know you want too....just press it...no one is
looking...lol...
DFA