Otherworld 2 - 17 - Battle Lines



Chapter 17 - Battle Lines

They had missed something vital and the Emperor had died because of their mistakes. The remaining Celestial Seven members gathered together trying to figure out their next move. The most important thing was information. Obviously their information was faulty, forcing Chichiri to use a power he rarely employed because it was very dangerous and it taxed his system. He would pay for using it in the future, but if he didn't try, there was a very good possibility that Suzaku would have no future. Chichiri had the power of teleportation. It was a dangerous power since he could materialize inside a wall or rock, so he had to be careful of his destination. For terrain he was not familiar with, he used topography maps to guide him. Because of the wards and spells that Jodah had all over Seiryuu's capital city, there was no way to teleport inside the city, and he did not want to be spotted, so he decided to teleport near the border between Seiryuu and Genbu, figuring it would not be overrun with soldiers. Therefore, it was by sheer accident that he landed near the amassing armies, hidden in Genbu. To his horror, he found an army whose soldiers were too numerous to count and they were marching directly to Suzaku. Chichiri teleported again before they could spot him, this time to Otherworld, near the border of Seiryuu. Again, he found the unexpected. Hundreds of Demons were passing in the sky above him, heading in two different directions. He marked the directions and teleported back to Suzaku to tell the Seven about the advancing army. It was about two days' from their nearest border. Tamahome left to rally the troops and send them to protect that vulnerable border as best they could. But it was a hopeless cause, if Chichiri's estimate was even close to being right, the Seiryuu army was nearly six times their own. Suzaku had underestimated badly, mainly because of the secret alliance with Genbu. If Byakko was also involved, they were truly lost! Suzaku desperately needed help.

	Even though his head was already screaming in pain from the prior teleportations, Chichiri teleported again, this time to Otherworld. Unfortunately, he could not make a jump of that distance so he did it in two stages, resting only a short time between jumps. Time was precious! His last hop took him to the Castle gate, and he collapsed in front of the guards, the pain so intense. The guards carried him into the Castle and then to a room when they were told who he was. Kaiba prepared a herb pack and placed it on Chichiri's forehead, but it was still nearly two hours later before he regained consciousness. His head still ached, but the pain was manageable. He told Kaiba that he needed to speak to everyone urgently and Kaiba conveyed the message. InuYasha came to his room and carried him to the library where everyone was already gathered.

Chichiri told them the terrible news of Hotohori's death and then about the army he had seen in Genbu and the two Demon hoards. One was heading toward the Castle itself and, judging from Chichiri's description, that second was heading toward Kaede's Village. Hotohori's death was a terrible blow since this meant that Suzaku was now leaderless at the time it needed a leader the most. Vara surprised everyone by offering to step in temporarily. She had a feeling that she was going to be needed for weeks now and finally the need had been revealed to her. But Chichiri's news was not the only news that Otherworld had received today. Raizen's Northern Lands were already being attacked by Mukuro and five of the Southern Land clans. Yusuke had already been sent for and when he arrived, Bakura would open a portal that would take Yusuke to his father's side. Toya and Toyna had also pledged their support. The Bobcat clan was already on the move to Raizen's side; Tekki went to his father shortly after hearing the news about Mukuro. Messengers had already been sent to Shido with the hopes that the Blood Demons would lend Raizen their support. Now it looked like Suzaku would not get any help from the Demon World and that was obviously what Naraku had counted on. It was his plan to keep Suzaku's allies occupied with battles of their own so they could not help Suzaku when they needed it most. The news of the Demons hordes approaching was ill news indeed. Messengers were immediately sent to apprise Kouga of the impending attack. With the help of Miroku, Kenshin and Sanosuke, the wolf clan just might be enough to hold off the Demons. But it was the Castle that was vulnerable. They had already lost two of their most powerful forces: Bankotsu and Sesshomaru. If the Dog Lord woke up, it was would be a huge asset, but that seemed very unlikely. As long as Ashara and Aara both lived, Sesshomaru was caught between their powers. It was decided that Hiten and Souten would return with Chichiri and use their storm powers against the vast armies of Seiryuu. They were the most powerful Demons available and their powers could take out hundred of soldiers with each strike. It was the only help that Otherworld could afford to give. Princess Aara then told Chichiri about Rhu, the Black Dragon and the plan to release his power against their country. Chichiri covered his face in despair. With a Great Dragon, Suzaku had no chance at all.

	"But we have a surprise for Naraku." Aara continued. Chichiri raised his head to stare at her. "The gods have not abandoned us and have given us a Great Dragon of our own. Kyo is the Red Dragon and has agreed to help against the Black Dragon." Chichiri thanked Kyo for his offer of assistance, but it still seemed overwhelming. So far there were only three Demons willing to help.

"It may seem that way, and believe me, I wish we could offer more." Kurama said. "but it seems that Naraku has thought of everything. He had many spies and knows our strengths and weakness almost better than we know them ourselves. But we have a couple of surprises that he is not aware of and Kyo is only one of them. But our most powerful blows must be against Naraku. Once he is dead, everything should begin to fall apart. The Demons he controls will lose their focus and drift away from battle. Unfortunately, Jodah is a force we were not prepared for and that will cost us dearly." "Suzaku is not alone." InuYasha proclaimed. "I will go against Naraku myself. I owe him much! And Bakura will go against the Seiryuu mage.".

	"You cannot fight Naraku by yourself, InuYasha." Aara stated quietly "He is not going alone. I am going with him." Vash spoke for the first time. "I have a daughter to save. I failed my brother. I will not fail my daughter!"

"I am also going." Keiki said quietly. "No! You can barely walk with crutches! I will go in your place." Kiri said, surprised by his father's decision. "This is not your decision to make, but mine. You will wait here and when the outcome of the war is known, you will go to the herd and tell them what you have seen. Based upon that, the elders can make their decision whether to stay in hiding or accept the offer of protection that the Princess extends to them." Kiri nodded, his head bowed with sorrow. It was a dangerous situation for a Unicorn that was strong and sound, but for a Unicorn that could not walk unaided, it was hopeless. He didn't understand what his father expected to accomplish by going. That left the protection of the Castle in the hands of Suzuki, Kurama, Kenru and Hiei. Three Demons and one human girl against over a thousand Demons. Aara's power was formidable but limited in range. A Demon had to be in close proximity to her and everyone prayed it would not come to that. Yukina was still bed-ridden from giving birth and if the Castle fell, she and the child would die at the hands of the Demon hoard. Hiei swore to Toya that he would defend his sister and niece to the death and he meant to do exactly that. Yusuke would arrive in the morning and Bakura would open the portal to Raizen for him along with Toya and Toyna. Then he would create a portal for Chichiri, Vara, and the two Thunder Demons to go to Suzaku and then Hiten and Souten would continue to the border of Genbu where the armies were amassing. Lastly, Bakura would open a portal as close to the capital of Seiryuu as he dared, and InuYasha, Kyo, Keiki, Vash and himself would go through that last one. They were stretching themselves terribly thin. Two Thunder Demons against an army of 20,000! InuYasha and Vash against Naraku and probably the Blood Demons he controlled. Bakura going head to head against a mage that was much more powerful that he was and Bakura was untried in battle. He always protected, but had never actually fought. Tonight was going to be a very long night. Kaiba and Rin were preparing as many healing potions as they could so each of the fighters could have at least two or three. It was nearly midnight when Kaiba noticed that Rin was exhausted and ordered her to bed. Under protest, she went down the stairs, but when she got to her room, she stopped at the door, hesitating. Then she turned and walked down the hallway.

	Quietly she knocked on Keiki's door and heard a soft "enter" through the door. Keiki looked up from his bed surprised by his visitor. He was resting his leg as much as he could. Tomorrow there would be no rest and he knew he would be in a lot of pain. "Rin?"

"Keiki, I know that you might not return to the Castle, and there might not even be a Castle to return to. The other night you said you could not offer me a future. Well, neither of us has a secure future to offer the other, so I ask for just one night. Tonight. And it will be enough to last me the rest of my life. I love you, Keiki. Please give me that much. Please, I beg you." The girl crumbled to her knees in front of him, tears filling her eyes.

	"Rin," Keiki murmured, pulling her up from the floor. "You ask for so little." "I am asking for all you have. I am asking for time." "And I will give you all the time that I have to give. Perhaps the tides of war will change things and we will have a future after all. It is in the hands of the gods now."

Rin smiled sadly at Keiki, then turned out the lamp at his bedside, throwing the room into shadows. She unfastened, then stepped from her gown. He reached for her, pulling her down on the bed. It had been such a long time since he held a woman -- ever since Kalire died giving birth to his son. His lips found Rin's, and he gently explored her mouth with his own. She began to lean against him, pressing until she seemed to be melting into his body. He pulled the covers aside and she moved so that she was lying next to him. He moved and covered her with his body, caressing her, loving the feel of her and the tenderness she gave him. He had not realize how much he had missed these feelings. All through the night, they joined and parted, coming together in passion and parting to lie in one another's arms. Just to be near each other was enough. Time seemed to stop for them, at least for a little while, and the thoughts of war and death seemed far away. But all too soon the sky began to lighten with the dawn. Rin held Keiki tightly for a while and then there was no time left for them. She moved from his side and dressed quickly, then helped Keiki dress. Just before going out the door, she turned and kissed him. "Please come home to me," she whispered. "If it is my power to do so, I will. I promise you that." He kissed her one last time and then opened the door.

Breakfast was being served -- who knew how long they would go until their next meal. The Thunder Demons were stuffing themselves with food, needing all the energy possible for their high metabolisms.

	Alone in his bedroom, Vash opened a locked trunk. He looked at its contents sadly. He had hoped never to use the items inside again. He pulled out tight-fitting brown armor and put it on, followed by heavy boots and leather gloves. He put on his red coat which swirled around him in a macabre dance. Slowly, methodically, Vash buttoned the double set of buttons and buckled the belts. Then he picked up the gun; more than anything he did not want to put that gun on. Kurama had teased him when he saw it the first time so many years ago; guns meant nothing to Demons! But this was not an ordinary gun; just as he was not an ordinary man. Resigned, he strapped the silver gun to his hip. His yellow sunglasses came last. Now he was ready.

Bakura opened the portal for Yusuke, Toya and his son, Toyna. Toyna kissed Vara goodbye and the three stepped through the portal into Raizen's fortress. The portal closed instantly behind them. Then the mage opened the second portal, and Chichiri walked through. Vara hugged her parents and then stepped through, quickly followed by Hiten and Souten. Again the portal closed. The third and last portal opened. Kyo swiftly walked through it. InuYasha hugged his Princess tightly and kissed her lightly, then jumped through the portal. Then Vash came up to her, holding her tightly. He kissed her deeply then released her, and left. Aara sunk to the floor, her heart aching like it had never had before. Hiei knelt beside her and put his arms around her shoulders. Keiki said goodbye to his son and then bent to kiss Rin. "Keep your promise." She told him and then let him go. He hobbled through the portal, leaving only Bakura himself. He bent to his Princess and kissed her softly, then went through the portal, closing it behind himself. The battle lines were now drawn.