How did they know?
You dropped into a crouch as you flicked your leg out, keeping it locked tightly to make the contact hard. The wolf demon fell, his leg buckling and you followed through with your sward to his stomach. You ignored the nauseated feeling as the rose red blood sprayed out; like a can of fizzy pop that had been shaken too much, and the mass of innards flopped out uselessly onto the dirty, cave floor.
Mechanically your body reacted to the female demon to your right, who was charging up for some kind of spirit attack. Your body tingled, power erupting from your hands and you watched detached as the orb you sent at her blew a hole through her chest and into the wall behind her.
That was definitely going to ache in the morning...
Yusuke, you noted was in his Mazoku form taking on a group of the hunters that had stayed behind for this obviously calculated ambush. He was holding his own easily, as were Hiei and Shadow, who you noted to be drowning her opponents with her water techniques.
A loud yell vibrated from a darker corner of the cavern, running quickly, your body moving as if on automatic, you flipped over a group of wolves and got between them and Kazuma, who was trying to stem a flow of blood from his leg.
"Bastards hit me with some sort of energy spear, Bri be careful!" He warned grimacing in pain. Another bellow.
"How the fuck did they see us coming?" Yusuke managed to yell through the dust and rubble. He was by Kurama. The demons in front of you collapsed to the floor as bamboo shot up from the ground.
"We have to hurry, if we don't find Akki soon he could escape." Kurama cautioned as he called his attack back, he knelt by Kazuma. "Can you walk?"
"No, hurts too much, you guys go on without me you're loosing time!" Kazuma slapped away the help almost savagely, you frowned understanding his embarrassment – he was a proud fighter, he hated accepting help. Kurama sighed before producing a seed. "Eat this; it will help the pain to numb and for the wound to stop bleeding. It'll take a few moments to kick in though." He looked at the rest of you. "Go ahead, there is a system of halls, Hiei can guide you. I'll remain here and fight any more of the tribe while he heals. Go!"
With no time to question the decision the rest of you dislodged weapons from the ground and floor and pounded into the hazardous hallways. You took a glance back at the receding room, watching Kazuma wincing in his effort to move.
How did they know?
Koenma stared horror-struck at the screen. He had been able to finally get a signal from the communicators the Spirit team had with them, it had taken him a few days to get the screen synchronised - something kept blocking the signal – most likely the magickal qualities of the forest itself. However, now it was up and running, but he wished it wasn't.
"Sir, the tribe shouldn't be this organised something has gone wrong!" George breathed looking flabbergasted at the screen. Koenma glared but remained silent. Somehow the plan went wrong, but it is too late to pull out now and they know that. He winced sifting through files looking for an alternative.
Nothing came to his aid.
"It's out of our hands. Even if I dispatched the Defence Force, they can't reach them in time, and dad has forbidden them ever having help again after last time." He trailed off dejectedly. "Oh Yusuke, please... find a way to get everyone through this. I can't help you this time."
What appeared to be the remainder of the tribe, all except the infants, stood – weapons in hand and menacing leers on their faces. You felt Shadow tense beside you, heard the sharp intake of Yusuke, before everything became a blur of blood and battle once again.
Again your body moved on its own, with you only remembering about half of your attacks. The others also moved with swift precision.
But still you were out numbered.
"Hiei! Brianey! Carry on, find Akki okay? Well take care of things here!" Shadow's voice hit you and you turned, but searing pain hit your shoulder making you scream and numb to anything else.
"Bri!" The word came unfamiliar to yours ears – you were only registering the demon that was ripping at your arm with his teeth. Blood spurted more freely when he tore the muscle more. Bitch... You gritted your teeth, feeling the wall hit your back. You were going to loose if you kept being distracted. Finally more aware of yourself, you took a breath and grabbed the demon's head. You could see Yusuke and Hiei fighting to get to you. You frowned. Why am I always getting myself and others into trouble? I need to stop being so weak!
With that thought in your mind, you slammed your fist down onto the demons head and changed into demon form in the process.
"Luna Coil!" You shouted automatically, concentrating on the attack – it was still new to you. You felt your energy level increase as it wrapped around the demon and yank him into the air. His yell of surprise spurred you friends back into fighting – they could see you were okay.
The demon struggled, as you looked at him and then his face turned into blank horror as the energy holding him was absorbed into him, and exploded.
The chunks rained down over the continuing battle.
Latching an arm over your wounded shoulder, you ran, to Hiei who was calling for you by a small passage. He followed behind you, and continued running. It was only when you realised the others weren’t following that you stopped.
"Wait!" You went to run back. Hiei grabbed your arm. "No! We can't leave them there were too many demons in there Hiei!" Panic overrode everything. You couldn't leave Shadow and Yusuke in there, with so many demons they wouldn't survive. Hiei grunted against your weight but managed to pin you against the wall. You kept fighting.
"Brianey, listen to me!" He slammed his hand by your face, shocking you into silence. His Crimson eyes bore into yours. "We have to leave them. If we don't Akki might get away and this whole mission will be pointless! We have to kill Akki or he'll keep coming for you and none of us are allowing that! Yusuke and Shadow will be fine; Kurama and Kuwabara are heading to them as we speak. I've synced my Jagan onto their energies. Now we have to go!" He shook you hard, seeming to try to snap you back to reality.
He's right... You reasoned, his forcefulness had helped you to focus. Though you hated to admit it, you had to leave them behind. Not just to get to Akki before he escaped, but also because it was better they didn't have to fight him at all. If they aren't there I'll have less people to worry about him killing. Hiei will be there which is bad enough... I couldn't do it if the others were there too. The lower tribe demons they might be able to handle... but Akki's on a whole different level.
You looked at him, while he kept you pinned, and then he slowly let go of you. You sighed, knowing he'd read your mind. "I'm sorry." You apologised.
"Hn, you have nothing to apologies for baka." He chastised, you heard ripping and then pressure which caused you to whine. You looked straight at him but allowed him to tend your arm. You started to relax, which made you nearly laugh given the situation. He looked at you quizzically. "What's so funny onna?"
"It's just... we're in the middle of nowhere, fighting for our lives and even so, I'm still able to relax when you're near me." You smiled slightly at him. "You're like my rock."
He grunted gently, while he bandaged your arm, and you watched him all the while as he did. The thought still amazed you. Even though you were in a life and death situation, resting in a small quiet tunnel in the bowels of a lions den; Hiei made it feel like you were just training back in the field by your house.
He kept you safe, and he looked after you. He was a constant part of your life since it had collapsed in on itself, and it felt so right.
"Okay, it's not your dominant arm, but sward balance will be affected. Use your feet to even out the balance, like I showed you before. And whatever you do stay focused! I saw you back in there and you were slacking off, like the lazy fool you are. If you do that in here don't expect me to save you, dog." He took off before you could hit him. Clenching your firsts tighter around your weapon, you ran after your comrade.
You ran swiftly, through the passages, feeling Brianey not far behind. Akki will be in the chamber most likely. You recalled the large room and gripped your katana tighter. Though knowing what lay ahead, you remained calm and level headed – as always when fighting. You turned a blind corner and came to a slow stop outside a large, clothed opening. No guards were there – obviously they had joined the battle.
You could sense Akki's energy inside.
Why would he be so careless as to leave himself unprotected? Unless he thought it would take longer for us to get to him. You lingered, confused. Brianey came to your side and you shared a wary glance to her, and voiced your thoughts.
"I heard you Hiei, I can read minds." She said gently. "Either way we gotta go in there, trap or no trap, right?" You nodded.
"Are you ready?" You asked trying to sound disinterested. If you were being truthful you were wary to go inside, Akki was a strong opponent and you knew that. But then again – you never really cared how strong he was. You just wanted to see his head as a wall mantle.
You pulled the heavy curtain aside and stepped into the room.
It was almost how it had been when Kurama remembered it. Only several things had changed. Firstly, you could smell mass amounts of blood – old blood, which seemed to date back a long time.
Secondly, Akki was no where to be seen.
You tensed rapidly and looked around the dim room. The moon was casting long shadows from where it loomed overhead, giving the room a more dangerous feel to it. Brianey moved by you, and you could see her eyes fixed on the large wall at the back of the cave.
Then you realised – She was staring at Akki.
A cackle slipped from his smirk as he stepped forward into the light. Your whole body was charged, on edge by the distance you were from him. He looked calm, and that unnerved you. Keep focus, he just thinks he has the upper hand. Remember what he did to everyone. Anger stung at your raw wounds and you growled lowly. He just laughed in return.
"Of course, I have the upper hand, my dear. It's my cave." He replied conversationally, his eyes flickered over to Hiei and then back to you. "Only two of you? What happened to the rest?" He grinned.
"Enough of the bullshit, let's finish this." Hiei muttered distain in his voice. Akki sighed lowly shaking his head in thought.
"So eager to meet your end, it really is a shame you're so suicidal. No matter, I'll grant your request just as soon as I fulfil my plan." His eyes shifted back to you and you cringed internally. "By the way... do you like the room? I don't believe your little fox friend was around much to see what his hiding place turned into. Allow me to explain.
The cave we are in has, for the past eight hundred years been a home for this tribe. We moved here just after our last cave was destroyed. Ever since wolf demons have lived, sacrifices have been made, or executions of those who went against pack law. Of course your mother was to be brought here, Brianey but unfortunately she didn't make it this far. She died too easily." He grinned cruelly at you, and you glared as pain jolted into you like a tidal wave. "This room serves as both the execution and sacrificial area for the tribe. Rituals also take part in here... which you will know all too much about very soon, my dear. For you are the guest of honour in the most memorable one in history."
"I said enough of the bullshit!" Hiei's voice sounded like thunder when it hit the walls of the room. He was by you in an instant.
"Focus. Kill him." He reminded you. Akki simply watched in animated amusement.
"Mom..." You closed your eyes, pushing the pain away but holding onto the anger that followed. Energy exploded from you and you launched at the being behind your pain.
Akki's laugh rung in your ears as he brought his sword up to your own.
