The Meikai War

Chapter8

Yusuke dodged another of Yoko’s fireballs and aimed a rei gun at the swift fox. She leapt to a different perch as the blast struck the ice pillar she’d been on. The Pillar crumbled and fell to the ground shaking the whole caravan and temple with impact.

Kuwabara ran over to the fox spirit’s new perch and sliced neatly through the ice pillar with his rei ken. The pillar swayed and tumbled.

Yoko jumped off and aimed her descent at the carrot-top. She landed right on his head and sprang back as he began to fall backwards with the force. The carrot-top landed hard on his back and with a yip rolled out of the way as Yoko’s ribbon went screaming by.

Yoko snapped her ribbon left and right and watched in a mix of awe and confusion as the panicked carrot-top barely managed to get out of the way with little to no grace.

She gasped snapping her attention over to the black haired boy as he ran at her. "Kuwabara out of the way!" he shouted.

Yoko snapped her ribbon at the teen, who caught the end in a tight fist.

"Gotcha!" shouted Yusuke as he continues his run at her and drew back his fist. "Dodge this! Shot Gun!"

Yoko was hit with multiple small blasts of ki. She slammed back into the temple’s side, which was also smashed up with the attack.

When the assault end Yoko coughed blood which ran down her chin. Hurry up Korin she thought. Her head snapped up as the temple she leaned against groaned. Yoko’s eyes widened and she ran forward past the two teens and kept running.

"What the-" said Kuwabara then took off running as well as the temple walls began to fall. Ice wasn’t a good building material and cutting out its support pillars wasn’t a good move either.

Yusuke scooped up Kurama’s body and ran after them.

"Ahhhhhhh!" screamed Yoko, Yusuke, and Kuwabara running for their lives.

* * * * * * * * * *
Sweat rolled down Korin’s face as he tried to pull the stubborn soul out of the Ruffian sphere and fuse it to Soul’s body. He’d been taking great care in making sure everything was perfect. The soul had changed to only Suoh Ryu’s before they’d even entered the temple, but he never expected it to fight him so much.

He almost lost his concentration as the place shook madly. Korin’s eyes widened as the temple walls around him began to collapse outward.

"No!" he screamed as the chains on Suoh were pulled tight snapping the once kneeling ryu up into the air and pulling on him in all direction. To Korin’s surprise the walls stopped falling out, held together by the chains that were bond to Suoh Ryu.

Gods! He watched as the ryu continued to breathe in deep even breaths as if the strain was nothing to him. Of course, you couldn’t expect much of a reaction from a soulless ryu, but you could expect some kind of physical reaction! Was Suoh that strong?!

* * * * * * * * * *
Yoko, Kuwabara, and Yusuke all looked out from their positions on the ground to see that the temple walls had stopped in mid way down. They leaned to the sides defiling gravity, by all means they should have gone down.
"What’s going on?" wondered Kuwabara.

"I don’t like the looks of this," said Yusuke. He got up and ran towards the temple with Kurama over his shoulder.

"Stop!" shouted Yoko running after him.

Kuwabara not to be left alone ran after them.

* * * * * * * * * *
Korin tore the soul from the sphere. He chanted softly commanded it to return to its old body.

Yusuke, carrying Kurama, followed by Yoko, then Kuwabara ran into the temple and gasped at the sight of the ryu suspend in the middle of the air by chains holding the walls up.

"Gods.... what a power," whispered Kuwabara as his sense were flooded by the ryu’s ki.

"You’re too late!" laughed Korin as he moved his hands. A bright light flowed off of his body, blinding them all.

"No Hiei!" shouted Yusuke his heart squeezed as the ryu opened its eyes.

* * * * * * * * * *
Inari groaned as spots of light created by the trees and sun got in his eyes. The morning air was chilly, special when you were butt naked. He reached out his arms trying to find the body that had been keeping him warm all night long. Inari opened his silver eyes when he did not find it by touch.

"Suoh?" asked Inari sitting up and looking around. Where was his ryu? He couldn’t find any trace of him; even the ryu’s ripped garments were gone. Had it been a dream? No, it couldn’t have been. Inari eyed the three death creatures that had belonged to Aresism. His body still hummed with the pleasure he taken from Suoh’s, so where was the ryu.

Gone. Suoh had left him without even a farewell. First Inari was shocked then his anger flared up. How dare that ryu just get up and leave him like that! He was a god! The ryu should have stayed till he was done with him, till he was dismissed!

"Suoh!" shouted Inari causing the bird that had been sing so sweetly to take flight and all other woodland critters to scurry away. The fox god got up and collected his belongings. He was going to teach that little ryu a lesson the next time they met.

* * * * * * * * * *
Inari was once again standing next to Aphrodite, Volcanus, and Aresism who glared at him still mad that Inari had snuck up on him and ruined his chances to have Suoh.

The fox god ignored Aresism, still angry himself. He had been unable to find Suoh again since their wild roll and that had been several years ago. His muscles were taunt with his anger. He was not someone that you just got up and walked away from. Everyone else that he had ever made love to would look at him with worshipful eyes and plead to be taken again. Even gods would plead to be pleasured by him one more time. Though, he rarely ever took anyone back into his bed after having had them, they were never as much fun after already being conquered the first time. He had expected Suoh to be no different, so why had the ryu left?! Why had he not begged to belong to him as all the others did?!

He held his breath as the black ryu clan entered and took their place. Inari’s eyes at once went to Suoh. The ryu looked at him with an emotionless face. Nothing! It was like he’d ever touched him!

Inari’s silver aura spiked around him. Suoh gave him an odd look of confusion, but for the most part ignored him.

Ryuujin entered, once again the agreement was set, and challenges were issued.

Inari couldn’t wait for his turn. He was so fired up there was no way Suoh could defeat him faced with his anger.

Inari was going to step out to challenge Suoh, but Aresism got there before him. "Suoh Ryu! I challenge you," shouted Aresism drawing his sword.

No! screamed Inari’s mind. Aresism was not going to beat him to Suoh again, not this time; never again! Only one challenge could be issued to a ryu each tournament. To fight Suoh again he’d have to wait several more years and he’d never get the chance if Aresism won. Inari stepped forward.

"No Aresism. You will fight me this day!" snarled Inari.

Everyone, even the gods, were shocked. A god fighting another god at the Hall of Challenge?! It was unheard of.

"What do you think you’re doing Inari? I am not a ryu for you to conquer," said Aresism with cold eyes.

"True, but we both want the same ryu so I will fight you today for the right to him," said Inari.

A low roar sounded around the room. Suoh looked shocked, but said nothing.

"Are you challenging me for the right to fight Suoh?!" shouted Aresism. He turned to Enma. "Is this allowed, Lord of the Dead?"

Enma looked down at the two, no emotion at all on his bearded face. "I have no objections since the fight is over a ryu. I will allow it if Ryuujin does." The Golden Ryu nodded his golden head in agreement. "I will allow the contest," said Ryuujin.

Aresism turned back to Inari with a snarl. "If I win this fight you must give up on trying to capture and collar Suoh."

"And, if I win. You shall do the same," said Inari. The silver fox god’s aura blazed around him.

The two gods clashed in a ground shaking display of power.

Suoh watched the two battle tooth-n-nail with each other. What the hell is going on?! They are fighting for the right to fight me?! That’s crazy! Although, it is convent since that means only one of them would be able to hunt me after this fight.

"Suoh, just what did you do to those two?" asked Rouin to his side. The taller ryu looked down at his mate with concern.

"I’m not sure myself Rouin," said Suoh. He moved closer to the taller black as if looking for comfort. Rouin wrapped an arm around the smaller ryu’s shoulders and held him protectively, his eyes watching the bloody battle between the two gods.

Is there something you haven’t told me Suoh wondered Rouin as Aresism and Inari went for each other’s throats. Why are two gods fighting over you?

Inari panted and glared at Aresism who glared back, both were injured and bloody. Out of the corner of his eye he caught Suoh moving closer to his taller companion’s side. The taller ryu wrapped an arm around the small ryu and held him close. Inari saw red.

Aresism ran toward Inari his blade poised at his side. The war god screamed as he brought his blade down to try and cleave Inari in half. The fox god’s eyes blazed silver as a shield of pure ki caught Ghostslayer in mid swing. Everyone looked on in awe as the fox god’s power jumped up to massive proportions momentarily dwarfing Aresism’s.

The fox god growled animal-like at Aresism, ki radiated from his burning silver gaze. Even the war god knew fear as he stared the angry god in the face. Inari’s aura struck out in all directions throwing Aresism back to land and skid on the smooth blue floor. He tried to get up, but Inari had summon several deadly planets to grow under him, they burst out in hungry mouths that clamped down and chewed on the war god’s flesh. Aresism thrashed about in them trying to break free.

Inari ran and nimbly leap on the fallen god’s stomach holding his twin blade in an X against Aresism’s throat. The deadly plants around them waved snapping at the air. Still growling Inari moved his blades down to draw blood across Aresism’s throat as one blade pressed against the god’s neck.

"Enough Inari!" boomed Enma’s voice. "You have won, stop attacking your fellow god!"

Inari’s grip tightened on his blades. He didn’t want to stop; he wanted to run the other god through, to kill him if it were possible!

"Inari!" shouted Enma.

The fox’s ears flattened on his head. He got off the war god and recalled his plants.

Aresism slowly got up and stepped away from Inari, one hand went up to feel the line of blood on his throat. Whatever friendship they had once held was broken between them now.

Aresism left, but Inari remained. He turned to glare at Suoh with ki light eyes, which hardened even more as the taller ryu moved more in front of the smaller one.

"Suoh! Fight me!" shouted Inari. How he wanted to fight that ryu, to dance the dance of death with him, to cut him, make him bleed, hear him scream. But, that’s not all he wanted to do to the ryu. He wanted to taste him, to have him trapped under him, making those wonderful sounds again. He hungered for it.

"That’s enough Inari take your place. You’ve have your challenge this day and have won it," said Enma. His voice rose with growing anger.

The fox god looked up at Enma with defiant eyes, but relented. He didn’t need the Lord of Death’s anger on his shoulders.

Inari moved to stand at Aphrodite’s and Volcanus’s side.

* * * * * * * * * *
Rouin swam over to look at Suoh as he leaned against the bank of the spring. The smaller ryu had finished taking off his stuff, but was just sitting on his butt playing with the silver cord still around his neck, a distance look on his face.

"Suoh," called Rouin getting out of the water to sit next to him. He pulled the ryu into his arms, dripping water down him. "What is wrong?"

"Rouin, I don’t think we should be mates any more," said Suoh not making eye contact with the other black.

"Why?" asked Rouin petting the smaller ryu’s hair.

"Because, I haven’t been loyal to you," said Suoh.

Rouin froze. He took hold of Suoh’s chin and forced him to look into his eyes. "With another ryu?" asked Rouin.

Suoh shook his head.

"A god?"

The small ryu nodded.

"Aresism?"

Shake.

"Inari?"

Nod.

Rouin sighed and pulled the smaller ryu onto his lap. "Did he force you?"

"No, he saved me from Aresism who did try," said Suoh nuzzling Rouin’s neck. "I wanted to thank him, it was the only way I could think of." The ryu hid his face in Rouin’s mane.

Rouin rubbed his cheek on the top of the ryu’s head. "Did he hurt you?"

"No."

"Did it mean any thing to you?"

Suoh was silent a long time. "I don’t know. It couldn’t have, Inari just wanted pleasure...."

Rouin rubbed the smaller ryu’s back.

"I wish you would go to Chi. You’d be happy with that red ryu, more so then you could ever be with me," said Suoh.

"That’s not true Suoh, I could be very happy with you. I am happy with you."

"But you love Chi," said Suoh pulling back to look at him.

Rouin tightened his grip on Suoh. "Please Suoh. Please don’t talk about her. You know- you know I can’t be with her. It’s not allowed by the elders."

"Since when do you care about what the elders want?" snapped Suoh. "You fight for yourself, you think for yourself, you live by your own rules Rouin."

"I live by the clan’s rules, Suoh," sighed Rouin. "I want to do what’s best for the blacks. Taking you as my mate is what’s best, best for both of us. I love you, you know that, and I know you love me back, we can be happy together. I’ll help you forget what Inari did to you and you can help me forget these feelings for Chi," said Rouin into the ryu’s neck.

Suoh laughed. "It’s going to be hard to forget those two. What with Inari breathing down my back and Chi bashing your head in."

Rouin pulled away from Suoh and looked at the ryu’s smiling eyes. He couldn’t help but smile back.

"We’re both hopeless," said Rouin messing up Suoh’s hair. "You want to breed?" asked Rouin nudging Suoh.

"You’re the one that’s hopeless!" laughed Suoh shoving him away.

"Ahh man, I’m never going to get any tail," pouted Rouin. "You changed shapes for Inari, why not me?" he asked crossing his arms.

"Um.... actually I didn’t," said Suoh blushing.

"What?! You mean you stayed in that form?!" said Rouin waving a hand at Suoh.

The smaller ryu blushed redder and shifted.

"Oh Suoh you little devil," said Rouin getting a gleam in his eye.

"Don’t get any ideas," warned Suoh. "I don’t want to take any chances when I’m in heat."

Rouin grinned and moved closer. Suoh scooted away. Rouin moved closer. Suoh got up and ran. Rouin ran after him.

"I mean it Rouin!" shouted Suoh running at top speed away from the ryu.

Rouin only laughed loudly and kept up the chase.

"Ahhhhh!" shouted Suoh running by several other ryu partners who shook their heads at the two, muttering about cubs these days.

Rouin chased Suoh around a bolder, then fell flat on his back, ears ringing with "Rouin no BAKA!"

Towering over him was Chi hands on hips while she glared down at him. He looked over her shoulder to see Suoh grinning at him and Sunoo looking on curiously.

"You cheat!" roared Rouin.

"Rouin! Just what do you think you’re doing?!" demanded Chi. She plopped down to sit on his stomach and growled in his face.

"Er- well you see… um... we were just...."

"Rouin no BAKA!" she shouted giving him a good whack upside the head.

Sunoo and Suoh wince as they watched Chi and Rouin.

"Those two," smiled Sunoo. "When are they going to get together."

"Chi’s more likely to kill him before that’ll ever happens," said Suoh.

"Are you really going to let Chi have him?" asked Sunoo looking at Suoh.

Suoh smiled. "I want him to be happy." He grabbed Sunoo by the arm and pulled her away to their spring.

* * * * * * * * * *
Inari swung one of his blades forward taking a few strands of the ryu’s black hair in its passing. The ryu did a back flip and Inari felt the wind whip past his face as he jerked his head just out of range of the ryu’s clawed feet. Suoh landed and ran. The fox followed pursuit.

"Come back here Suoh!" he screamed. "Answer me! Why didn’t you stay?!"

The ryu didn’t stop running through the trees, he ignored Inari's shouted questions. Inari concentrated and a barrier of thick brush sprang up in Suoh’s path. The ryu increased its speed and jumped, climbing up the barrier.

"Suoh! Stop!" shouted Inari.

"I am not stupid, fox god!" shouted down Suoh growling and pulling his limbs violently free as the foliage began to try and pin him. The ryu reached the top of the barrier and jumped.

"Suoh!" shouted Inari commanding the planets to part and let him pass. He ran after the ryu again. "I want an answer!"

Inari managed to circle around and block the ryu’s path. The ryu slowly moved to the side, Inari kept in front of him. The two circled each other.

"Why won’t you listen to me!?" growled Inari.

"I will not be caught by one of your tricks," said Suoh eyes darting around.

"I just want an answer!" yelled the god.

"And I just want to remain uncollared another night!" shouted back Suoh.

"Fine!" shouted Inari. "I promise you that I shall not collar you this night!"

Suoh blinked his eyes, then stood up from his crouch and slowly walked towards Inari. The fox god’s breath caught as he watched the ryu come closer to him, the slight sway of Suoh’s hips, the way his tail moved back and forth with every step. Inari looked at the ryu with obvious desire remember when he’d had Suoh before; Suoh did not miss the look.

Suoh reached Inari and wrapped his arms around the god’s neck leaning his face up to kiss him on the lips. Inari’s arms trembled, his swords dropped from his grip to crush the ryu against him plundering that sweet mouth. Suoh pulled at the god’s armor, trying to untie it from Inari’s limbs. Inari also became aware of the useless articles standing between his and the ryu’s flesh. He pulled away from Suoh and ripped them off breaking half of the ties in the processes.

The ryu dropped to his knees and yanked down Inari’s pants, hot mouth descending to the god’s crotch. Inari gasped, grabbing hold of the ryu’s horns and trusting his hips forward into the ryu’s mouth. He hadn’t expected this, for once he had no control; he wanted it too much. The god’s ragged pants filled the air as he moved his hips with Suoh’s head. The ryu against him seemed to burn hot to the touch inflaming his body with a wild need. Inari screamed, tossing his head back and forth, silver mane gliding across his shoulders and back. It didn’t take long for the caught off guard fox god to cum, filling the ryu's hot mouth. He looked down at the flushed face ryu as Suoh ran his tongue over his lips, gather a bit that had escaped. Shivers of renewed excitement raked the fox god and trembling he fell to his knees to grab the ryu by the neck, kissing him hungry and rubbing against that lean body.

Inari’s hands wandered to the ryu’s fine silk robes. He kissed down the ryu’s graceful neck to his shoulder, pulling the robes down to give him more to taste. He listened as Suoh’s breath quickened and gave a vulpine smile when the ryu’s hands moved down to cup his ass. One of Suoh's slender hands moved to play with the soft silver fox tail: petting it, running fingers through it, pinching the base, and squeezing the tailbone. Inari threw back his head and breathed in a ragged breath. Suoh grinned up at him, one hand remained on the fox’s tail while the other moved up to massage one of his furry ears, an erotic zone the ryu still remember from their first coupling.

The fox god howled then snarled. Suoh pulled away thinking he might have squeezed a sensitive part too much. Inari grabbed and flipped Suoh over so hard the ryu almost spun completely in the air without any part touching down; he hit the ground none too gentle with a soft grunt, slightly dazed and dizzy. Taking hold of the ryu’s hips Inair stood up dragging Suoh's rear up along with him.

"Inari!" shouted Suoh clawing at the ground with his hands, his feet barely touching the ground in his bent over position. Inari ignored his protests and tossed back the section of Suoh’s robes that covered his rear still held loosely on by the ryu's belt. Without warning or preparation he thrust into the small ryu. Suoh screamed in pain, wings fanning out, fingers digging into the earth as Inari began thrusting. The ryu’s feet went off the ground completely as the god moved almost savagely. Suoh whimpered and whined as pain was ever so slowly replace with pleasure. He felt defenseless, the fox god was holding up most of his weight while driving madly into him.

Inari looked down at the ryu as Suoh raked the ground with his nails and shook his head from side to side gasping in a mix of pain and pleasure. It wasn’t enough, the ryu had had him at his mercy now it was his turn. He wanted the ryu completely, to dominate, to possess him totally.

Suoh gave a cry as plants began growing all around them. Long slender vines, with small white buds all along them. They wrapped around Suoh’s arms, legs, waist, and neck, hoisting the ryu completely off the ground.

"Inari!" Suoh half cried, half groaned as the plants began to tighten and un-tighten, squeezing his body in rhyme to Inari’s trusts. Suoh felt lightheaded with all that Inari was doing to him, disoriented and slightly confused. Inari commanded the plants to pull the ryu back to meet his thrusts; he moaned and groaned while toying with the fiery creature. The white flowers bloomed, responding to Inari's lust, and filling the air with a sweet scent, nectar dripped from their petal all over the ryu, making him sticky, his scales even glossier.

Smaller vines grew, spider webbing onto the ryu’s body in select areas, growing over the ryu’s nipples, down his belly, and over his crotch. The ryu howled and struggled in the vines as the planet began to stroke those sensitive areas. Inari grinned as he commanded one thick vine to lift the ryu’s head and another to enter his mouth. Muffled groans sounded from Suoh as the vine began to move back and forth. Inari’s pleased smile stretched from one side of his face to another, now his pretty ryu couldn’t even scream his pleasure. He had his way with the little beast, slamming violently into his petite body. He was sure that Suoh didn’t know up from down as the dragon simple allowed the fox to do what he wanted, too drunk on pleasure to struggle any longer.

Inari grunted loudly several more times before opening his mouth in a silent scream as he found his release, beneath him Suoh Screamed against his gag also climaxing.

All Inari’s power drained from him and he sank to the ground, his plants released the limp ryu and returned to their natural states as small green patches on the ground with a few white flowers here and there.

Inari spooned up against Suoh and licked some of the liquid off the ryu’s shoulder, savoring the mix of sweat and nectar. "Why," he whispered into the ryu’s ear breathlessly.

Suoh shifted. "Why what?" he asked after catching his breath.

"Why did you leave me the first time? You said you would stay?" he asked stroking the ryu’s stomach.

"I did stay with you," said Suoh. "I stayed with you all night."

"But, you left before I woke."

"It was only safe to be with you during the night. You promised me freedom and safety only till then," said Suoh.

Inari tightened his grip on the ryu. "I won’t have hurt you if you’d stayed with me longer."

"But, would you have let me kept my freedom?" asked the ryu. Inari went silent; he drew the ryu in tighter and rested his face against Suoh’s flame like locks of black hair. He didn’t know if he would have let the ryu go free or have started the hunt anew. He grinned into the ryu’s mane as the idea of chasing the ryu naked through the forest came to mind. It would have been great motivation to catch him.

"Will you stay with me Suoh?" asked Inari.

"I will stay with you this night," said Suoh.

The fox god smiled, he could be contented with that for now.

* * * * * * * * * *
"Inari," whispered Suoh opening his eyes.

"No Hiei!" shouted a voice.

Suoh tried to turn his head to see who was shouting, but couldn’t. Something cold around his neck prevented him from doing so: shackles and chains.

Yusuke, Kuwabara, Yoko, and Korin watched as the black ryu roared and began thrashing. Several chains snapped and a wall fell, shaking the cavern. Large chucks of ice fell from the ceiling.

"This place is going to come down like a ton of bricks!" shouted Yoko. "Korin-san!"

The tiger demon ignored her instead he ran towards the ryu his hand moving into the folds of his robes.

"No you don’t!" shouted Yusuke running in front of him. On his shoulder Kurama groaned.

"Yusuke?" asked Kurama opening his eyes he looked around in confusion. Suoh Ryu screamed again, more chains snapped, another wall fell.

Korin rammed Yusuke as the wall fell, throwing both boys to the ground. He opened a portal in front of him and disappeared. Another portal opened above Suoh Ryu and the tiger demon stepped out to fall on top of the struggling dragon. Chains snapped, both remaining walls fell. Korin and Suoh dropped to the ground, Korin landing on top. The roof of the cavern began to clasp in.

Korin reached into his robes and pulled out a simple looking band of silver. He leaned over Suoh and forced it around the ryu’s neck.

"Suoh Ryu I command you to stop the roof from clasping and to protect me with your life!" shouted Korin.

Suoh’s eyes went wide as the collar glowed. His face turned emotionless as he got up, gently pushing Korin to the side.

The ryu looked up at the roof and his whole body began to glow. Suoh’s became too brilliant to look at as the ryu’s shape changed.

Everyone breathed in awe as Suoh took his true form as a black dragon. The ryu’s body filled the Cavern, his scales glimmered mid-night black in the light, a thick black mane ran from the top of his neck to the tip of his tail, wings each twice as long as he branched from his shoulders, and red eyes blazed with an internal fire. Suoh Ryu was beautiful, everything about the dragon spoke of strength, grace, and shear power.

The ceiling gave in completely. Suoh Ryu spread his wings and tons upon tons of rock fell on the ryu.
Kuwabara fell to his knees and protected his head, sure that they would all be crushed. He glanced up when he was not, his mouth dropping open. Suoh Ryu stood like a statue, now the new support for the ceiling. All those tons of rock and ice now lay on his wings and back, and the ryu didn’t even look like it was much of a strain on him.

Korin laughed. "Yes! Yes you are magnificent my Ryu!" He ran over to the dragon and ran his hand over one of the Suoh’s front paws.

Kurama looked up at the dragon’s massive head unable to tear his eyes away from that flaming red gaze. "Suoh," he breathed. That was Suoh, which was once his lover of another life, which was once Hiei.

The dragon looked down at him as if for the first time. No, it was the first time Suoh did not know Kurama. Suoh did not know Hiei.

"Suoh get rid of these pests," said Korin crossing his arms.

The dragon coiled it’s neck back and roared down at them, the Crystal Cavern shattered like glass.
Kurama felt himself rolling endlessly head over heel; piece of ice and rock bombarding him. He finally came to rest face down in the snow. Weakly he raised his head and looked up, to his side he could see Yoko, who hadn’t been excluded from the ‘pests’, to his other side was Kuwabara and Yusuke. Yusuke groaned and looked up Kuwabara didn’t move.

Kurama looked in front of him, his eyes widened in shock. They’d been blasted right out of the cavern by the sheer force of the ryu’s scream, even the ryu’s voice was super charged with its ki. The tunnel had been sealed off, destroyed by the attack. Suoh and Korin where now trapped inside the caravan.

"Hi-Hiei," crocked Kurama dragging himself forward. He had to save Hiei he couldn’t let his lover be forever imprisoned inside a tomb of ice and stone, even if he was an ancient dragon now.

Kurama gasped as the ground quivered then shook. It explodes in a column of fire that melted all the snow around for a mile radius.

Kurama curled in a ball and flared his ki to protect himself from the intense heat. It was still barley tolerable at full power.

The blast was over just as suddenly as it appeared. Kurama dared a look up, the ground in front of him was gone leaving a gapping hole in the earth. Kurama turned his head to the side and breathed a sigh of relief. Yusuke had jumped on top of Kuwabara and managed to protect the unconscious carrot-top from the blast.

Kurama’s relief was short lived as a glimmering black ryu rose from the gapping hole in the ground. Perched on his neck was Korin laughing in delight.

"Ha, ha, ha, nothing can stop me now!" he shouted petting the ryu’s mane. "First shall be the Reikai, then the Ningenkia, and last the Makai."

"Korin!"

Kurama looked over to see Yoko badly hurt pull herself up.

"Yoko, you look terrible," laughed Korin. "Let’s go Suoh- no wait." He looked back down at red youko. "Bring her I might be able to still use her."

The black ryu walked over to the fallen youko; the shear grace of the ryu’s simple movements was poetry in motion. Kurama had ever seen anything so graceful in all his many years of life. He wanted to call out to the ryu, but kept quiet hoping Korin would think he was unconscious or dead. He hoped Yusuke would be smart enough to do the same.

The ryu sat back on its hind-legs and with one front paw carefully picked up the red fox demoness.

"Master," the ryu said in an emotionless voice. "Do you wish to hold her? Or Shall I?"

"You hold on to her. Now fly!"

The ryu spread his wings and leapt into the air. He circled once before shoring above the clouds and out of sight.

"Hiei," said Kurama sitting up. How was he going to save his lover now? Would he have to kill Suoh Ryu to free his lover’s soul? Was it possible to kill something that powerful? Could he even kill Suoh if he was given the chance?

Yusuke sat up with a curse. "Oh Gods," he said trembling. "I’ve never- never! Felt anything that powerful.

There isn’t even a class for it. Damn it!" he shouted pounding a fist into the ground. "We failed! We failed Koenma! We failed the Ninkgenkai! We failed... Hiei. How are we going to beat an ancient dragon?!"

Kurama looked down he couldn’t answer Yusuke he didn’t know himself.

* * * * * * * * * *
Back at the Reikai.

Botan opened a door. She walked in and sat down next to the bed set up in there. Smiling she brushed some black and white hair out of the child-like face of the bed’s occupant.

"I could almost believe you were a kid if I didn’t know you, Hiei," she said. "You look so cute when you’re not growling and frowning," she laughed pinching his check. Her face softened. "I can see why Kurama loves you when you’re like this." She looked a long time at the Koorime boy, running her hand back over his face to pet the wild starburst of hair. "You know it’s really ashamed that a sexy piece of man like Kurama and a cute guy like you are both gay."

Botan stopped petting Hiei’s hair as the wards around Hiei’s right arm started to smoke.

"Woo, woo! Wait, there’s nothing wrong with being gay Hiei, I just meant we straight people don’t have any hot guys to lust over any more!" she shouted franticly waving her hands in front of her face. "Wait a minute, it can’t be Hiei’s-"

The ferry girl fell backwards as the wards burst into flames and the Kokuryuha rose to life. It let out an ear-splitting scream and crashed through the ceiling, raising up into the air in an inferno of black fire.

"Koenma-sama!" shouted Botan running out of the room.

The Kokuryuha circled over the Gates of Judgement screaming.

* * * * * * * * * *
"Inari-sama, would you like some more wine?" asked Gabel, holding up a pitcher of red wine.

The golden fox god smiled and held out his empty glass to allow his priest to refill it. The fox god swirled the red liquid and brought it up to his lips.

The glass fell to the floor and shattered to pieces, red wine soak into the carpet.

"Inari-sama!" said Gabel. "Are you okay?!"

The golden fox god reached into his robes and pulled out the small white horn. It glowed angrily on its chain.

Gabel knelt down and began to pick up the pieces of glass. He also tried soaking up the wine with his own white robes.

"Gabel, forget the wine. Go get my armor," said Inari.

Startled by the order Gabel’s head snapped of to gawk at his god. Recovering the golden youko bowed and ran out of the room to go fetch Inari’s armor.

"Kaoru, what are you doing little ryu?" asked the god looking at the glowing horn.

TBC